Temperatures trend upward over the weekend

High Pressure Passes By

A large area of high pressure will pass through the region this weekend, bringing plenty of sunshine and some moderating temperatures.

Much of the region is starting off Friday in the 20s with mostly clear skies. A few patches of clouds dot the region, especially near Lake Ontario, where some limited lake effect lingers.

The center of the high will be over Ohio for much of the day. This will keep out winds from the northwest. While conditions for lake effect precipitation will be unfavorable, daytime heating clouds will be aided along by some moisture off Lake Ontario.

So, for Friday, expect increasing clouds over the course of the morning with a mix of clouds and some sunny breaks in the afternoon. Late in the day, the clouds will dissipate, and skies will again be mostly clear by evening.

While the daytime heating will trigger clouds, it will not be much in the way of literal heat. Highs will once again mostly be in the mid 40s with a few higher elevations in the low 40s.

The northwest winds will be light today with speeds near or under 5 mph. As the high moves overhead late this afternoon and tonight, winds will become calm for a couple hours before turning to the south by midnight.

The south winds will only counteract the clear skies somewhat, and Saturday morning will again be chilly. Widespread mid and upper 20s are again likely, but the number of places staying near or above 30 will probably increase slightly versus this morning.

South winds will persist at around 5 mph through Saturday. Skies will remain clear as well from start to finish. These factors should help temperatures to make it into the low 50s for the northern half of the region with most other areas near 50. A few hilltops in the Southern Tier and much of Cortland County will end up just shy of 50 degrees.

Saturday night should be a couple degrees milder than Friday night, but there will still be widespread 20s in the south with most areas staying at or below the freezing mark.

A few thin clouds may pass through on Sunday, but for the most part, it will be a sunny day again. Temperatures will add a few more degrees, with higher elevations in the low 50s and most areas in the mid 50s.

Quiet Next Week Until Late

Much of next week will continue the pattern of quiet weather and milder temperatures.

Monday may start off with some cloudiness during the morning hours. Sunshine will take over again by the afternoon and the day should end up mostly clear.

Thanks to the early clouds, temperatures will start off warmer with low 40s near the lakes and in the north, with mid and upper 30s further south. Daytime highs will also get a boost with mid 50s to the east of Cayuga Lake, upper 50s for the middle of the region, and a few places along and west of I-390 hitting 60.

Temperatures Tuesday morning will range through the 40s as some more clouds move in. Much of Tuesday will be cloudy, so temperatures will probably take a small step back. Plenty of areas will still make it into the mid 50s, though.

A few scattered showers will be possible on Wednesday with a cold front. Overall, though, the rain looks unimpressive at this point. Rainfall amounts should be minimal, and the time of the rain should be rather brief. Highs will again be in the mid 50s after starting above 45 degrees.

By Thursday, clouds will start to increase ahead of the next significant weather system. No rain is expected, but the clouds should filter the sunshine at a minimum. Temperatures will start in the 30s with clear skies Wednesday night in the wake of Wednesday’s front. Afternoon highs will make it into the low 50s.

Friday into Saturday next week, a slow moving front will move through the area. There is a possibility for low pressure to develop along the front, extending the rain into Sunday or even Monday. Heavy rain is a possibility, as are some snow showers at the end of the system. Obviously, it is much too early to speculate on the specifics, though.

Temperatures will return to a chilly, yet seasonable pattern behind the weather system next weekend.

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This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.