Rain Friday ushers in breezy, cool weekend

finger lakes weather forecast friday march 17 2023 rain breezy chilly weekend
Rain will be widespread through the middle of the day before a late cold front ushers in winds and cool air for the weekend. [Photo by Gwen Moshier]

Low Pressure Passes By

A healthy area of low pressure is tracking across Michigan this morning and will move across eastern Canada.

Widespread rain associated with an influx of warm air ahead of the low has already moved into the Finger Lakes. It will be a rainy morning and midday throughout the region, though the rain may occasionally let up from time to time.

The steadiest rain will move east this afternoon, but some scattered showers will linger through the afternoon hours.

Winds throughout this time will be from the south and south-southwest with speeds around 10 mph. Some higher elevations and far western areas to the west of I-390 may see some slightly stronger winds. Highs will mostly be in the upper 40s, though a few places may reach 50 degrees.

Around sunset, a final, brief band of rain will move through along a cold front. Winds will turn to the west and increase for a short time and temperatures will quickly fall into the 30s.

Overnight, only a few stray flurries are expected. Winds will end up turning to the southwest by Saturday morning, removing most of the snow showers produced by the Great Lakes outside of the region. Morning lows will be in the mid and upper 20s.

Another piece of atmospheric energy rotating around the same low pressure move through the Finger Lakes later Saturday afternoon. This will act as a second cold front, shifting the winds and ushering in more cold air.

Before this feature arrives, there will be some breaks of sunshine. Highs will reach into the mid and upper 30s, and winds for most of the region will be up to 10 mph. Stronger winds are expected west of I-390, and in particular between Batavia and Rochester, where gusts over 40 mph are likely.

Winds will gradually turn to the west, then northwest between Saturday late afternoon and Sunday morning. Occasional snow showers and perhaps a couple of brief squalls will be possible throughout this time.

Most areas will see little to no accumulation, but some higher elevations and localized pockets may see an inch or two. Wyoming County, in the far western reaches of my forecast area, will see more snow due to lake effect.

Winds will increase after sunrise on Sunday with speeds around or just over 15 mph and gusts of 35-40 mph. High temperatures on Sunday will be in the upper 20s and low 30s with wind chills making it feel like the 10s.

finger lakes weather medium range snow outlook friday march 17 2023 see blog text for pertinent information
The only chance for snow next week will come late in the week, and even then chances are very low. Click to enlarge.

Mild Next Week

The cold air will not stick around with winds turning back to the southwest by Sunday evening. Wind speeds Sunday night will be up to 10 mph, which will help keep temperatures in the mid 20s for Monday morning.

Sunshine will be plentiful on Monday for the first day of Spring. Highs will easily push into the 40s, with most areas within a few degrees of 45 degrees. With clear skies, nighttime temperatures will fall back to the mid 20s.

Winds will gradually shift again on Monday, turning to the west by midday and then becoming lighter and variable in the afternoon. Light southwest winds will again develop Monday night and persist into Tuesday morning, before again becoming variable in the afternoon.

Tuesday will start off with plenty of sunshine and temperatures will quickly rise. By the afternoon, temperatures should be working their way above 50 degrees, though some late clouds will put a cap on how warm it can get.

Steadier south winds will blow Tuesday night into Wednesday, keeping temperatures mild. Morning lows will be around 30 degrees while afternoon highs settle in around 50 degrees. It will be rather cloudy on Wednesday, but no precipitation is expected.

finger lakes weather 7-day forecast fri mar 17 | fri, periods of rain upper 40 | sat, late flurries, squalls mid 30 | sun, windy snow showers near 30 | mon, mostly sunny mid 40 | tues, a few late clouds low 50 | wed, mostly cloudy near 50 | thur, rain showers upper 40
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected. Click to enlarge.

Unsettled weather is looking increasingly likely for the end of the week, with rain showers likely Thursday, Friday, and possibly Saturday.

Given that this is a week out, there is still a small possibility that some of this could fall as snow, especially later Friday into Saturday. Generally speaking, though, temperatures are expected to remain mild, with highs at least in the 40s persisting through the weekend and for most of the following week.

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finger lakes weather 7-day forecast fri mar 17 | fri, periods of rain upper 40 | sat, late flurries, squalls mid 30 | sun, windy snow showers near 30 | mon, mostly sunny mid 40 | tues, a few late clouds low 50 | wed, mostly cloudy near 50 | thur, rain showers upper 40
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.