March closes with a warmer, still unsettled pattern

finger lakes weather forecast wednesday march 30 2022 warm front flurries freezing drizzle
Precipitation along a warm front today will be spotty, but may fall as some snow or freezing rain this morning. [Photo by Gwen Moshier]

Warm Front

A warm front will lift through the Finger Lakes today, leading to a mild final day of the month.

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Temperatures are chilly to start this morning on the cold side of the warm front. Most areas are starting the day between 15-25 degrees with mixed sky cover.

Precipitation associated with the front is lifting northeast out of Ohio and Pennsylvania and will arrive in the Finger Lakes later this morning.

The precipitation may be spotty thanks to plenty of dry air overhead, but some snow showers and some freezing drizzle will be possible. The best chance for a little icing will be in the southwest half of the region, where some Winter Weather Advisories are in place.

A few additional showers may be possible this afternoon, but most places will be dry. Temperatures will mostly be in the upper 30s and low 40s this afternoon.

Light southeast winds will gradually increase this afternoon but will become blustery tonight as they turn more southerly. Higher elevations, in particular, will gust over 30 mph tonight.

The south winds will also bring in the warmer air. Evening temperatures will initially lose a couple degrees, but then will reverse course and warm. By dawn Thursday, temperatures will range from the mid 40s across the Southern Tier and Central New York to the mid 50s in and around Rochester.

Wind gusts of 35-45 mph will become widespread after sunrise, still from the south. Temperatures will quickly rise through the 50s and into the 60s. A stray shower cannot be ruled out through the early afternoon, but some breaks of sun will be possible as well.

Temperatures will top out in the 65-70 degree range, though some areas along I-90 will probably sneak into the low 70s, especially if enough sun shines.

As a cold front approaches late in the afternoon, showers and a few thunderstorms will develop. The best chance for thunderstorms will be east of Seneca Lake, but much of the thunderstorm action, including severe thunderstorms, will be further southeast in areas such as northeastern Pennsylvania.

Still, any thunderstorms that do develop will be able to tap into the impressive wind fields, resulting in a minimal severe thunderstorm threat in our area as well.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast wednesday march 30 2022
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Near Average Temperatures

Winds will turn to the west and southwest Thursday evening, allowing cooler air to move in. By Friday morning, temperatures will be down into the mid 30s.

Friday may initially be dry, but showers will become more numerous by the late morning and through the afternoon. A mix of rain and snow showers is expected, with midday highs around 40 and afternoon temperatures retreating back into the 30s.

It will be plenty blustery again as well, with winds turning to the northwest by the afternoon. Widespread gusts of 30-40 mph are expected.

Precipitation should pull out Friday night. Saturday may start with some sun and temperatures in the mid 20s. Clouds will gradually increase, but precipitation looks unlikely. Highs will reach the mid 40s with light west and northwest winds.

More unsettled weather is possible Sunday and Monday as a couple waves of atmospheric energy pass through. Showers will be possible both days with highs in the mid and upper 40s. Some higher elevation snow in the early day and nighttime hours cannot be ruled out.

Temperatures should stay reasonably close to the climatological averages in the mid and upper 40s most of next week and into the following week. As we head towards the middle of April, warmer weather may become more likely.

More Information:

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

» Finger Lakes Weather Radar

» Zip Code Forecasts

» Your Forecast
finger lakes weather 7-day forecast wednesday march 30 2022
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.

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Follow Meteorologist Drew Montreuil:
Meteorologist Drew Montreuil has been forecasting the weather in the Finger Lakes region since 2006 and has degrees in meteorology from SUNY Oswego (B.S. with Honors) and Cornell (M.S.). Drew and his wife have four young boys. When not working or playing with the boys, he is probably out for a run through the countryside.