Wintry Weather
A large dip in the jet stream opened our region up to a return of wintry conditions over the weekend.
That pattern will continue today with northwest winds locked in place between low pressure northeast of Maine and high pressure over the Upper Midwest.
As the high butts up against the low, it will result in another windy day today. In fact, winds today will be a bit stronger than yesterday. Wind speeds will be 15-20 mph and top gusts will be 35-40 mph. Blowing and drifting snow will continue as a result.
The winds will keep temperatures about twenty degrees below the climatological average today with highs in the low and mid 20s. A few higher elevations may not even reach 20 degrees.
Narrow bands of lake effect snow continue this morning as well. The snow bands are making a general move towards the south this morning. Since the bands are narrow and moving progressively, accumulations this morning should be minimal, with only brief periods of snow in most areas. That snow may come down quickly during those short periods, though.
By the midday hours, most of the snow should be limited to stray snow showers that will have little to no impact on travel. Tonight, lake effect will increase again, especially across Cortland, southern Onondaga, southern Cayuga, and eastern Tompkins Counties. Locally, several inches of fluffy inches may fall through the overnight in these areas.
A few snow showers may linger early Tuesday morning before dissipating shortly after sunrise. Temperatures will start the day ranging through the 10s with a few low 20s along the shore of Lake Ontario.
Clouds will dissipate through Tuesday morning and skies will end up mostly sunny for the afternoon. The sun will help temperatures reach the low 30s Tuesday afternoon. It will not be as windy as today, but still breezy, with gusts of 25-30 mph, still from the northwest.
Warm Front-Cold Front
Temperatures will fall back into the 10s Tuesday evening but will rise to the low and mid 20s by Wednesday morning.
The daytime Wednesday is still a bit uncertain as a warm front lifts north into the area. Precipitation with the front looks limited, but areas of light precipitation will be possible, especially in the afternoon. All types of precipitation, including a little ice, will be possible. With the low amounts, significant travel disruptions are not expected.
Temperatures on Wednesday will depend on the speed of the front but may reach the upper 30s before sunset. South winds will increase Wednesday night with speeds as high as 15 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph, mostly over higher elevations.
The southerly winds will cause temperatures to rise to the mid 40s by Thursday morning. The temperature will not stop there, though, and will push well into the mid and even upper 60s Thursday afternoon.
A cold front will quickly approach from the west, introducing the chance for showers and a few thunderstorms Thursday afternoon.
By Friday morning, temperatures will be back into the 30s and snow will be mixing in with the rain showers. Much of the precipitation will turn to rain during the day Friday as highs reach the mid 40s. Snow will mix back in Friday night and linger into early Saturday.
Strong winds will also be possible Thursday, Friday, and early Saturday.
Most of the weekend looks quiet though with sun and clouds and seasonable temperatures in the 40s.
The pattern shaping up for early April looks to have near average temperatures with a slightly higher likelihood for warmer weather compared to cooler weather.
More Information:
» Finger Lakes Weather Radar
» Zip Code Forecasts
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.
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Edward Tripp Marks
Great Picture on Today’s forcast.