Unsettled Weather
An active weather pattern will bring several weather systems through our region over the next two days.
First will be an area of low pressure along the eastern seaboard today. This low is near Virginia Beach this morning and lifting northward. Clouds ahead of the system are already in place for much of the Finger Lakes.
Rain showers from this system will just clip the region. The best chance for showers will be roughly from Elmira to Ithaca to Syracuse and points eastward. The late morning and early afternoon will have the highest chance for these showers.
Stray showers will be possible outside of these ranges in both time and space, but they will be fewer and harder to come by.
The clouds may never become thick for far western areas like the Genesee Valley and Rochester. Late afternoon sun will gradually expand eastward, and even areas near I-81 may see a little sun before the day is done.
The contrast between sunshine in the far west and rain in the far east will set up a wide range of temperatures. The 60 degree line will be roughly along Keuka Lake, with warmer air to the west and cooler air to the east.
The warmest temperatures will be in the upper 60s from Dansville to Rochester, while the coolest will be pockets of low 50s in Cortland County. Be sure to check your zip-code forecast for the expected temperatures today in your town.
Southeast winds will blow today with speeds around or over 10 mph. Higher elevations will see the highest winds.
Tonight, clouds will increase as a front approaches from the northwest. This will be a slow-moving front, and showers will not begin to arrive until well after midnight. Areas east of Ithaca may not see any rain until after sunrise Wednesday.
On and off showers are likely through Wednesday morning and the first part of the afternoon. The front will then get extra moisture and energy from a second coastal low, causing rain to become more widespread during the late afternoon and evening hours.
Precipitation will gradually end after midnight Wednesday. There could be a few pockets of freezing rain as the precipitation tapers off pre-dawn Thursday, but most areas will remain above freezing in the mid 30s.
Temperatures on Wednesday will flip, with the coolest air in the north and west and the warmest air in the Southern Tier. Highs near Lake Ontario will be in the mid and upper 40s, while the valleys from Elmira to Binghamton push towards the upper 50s. Most areas will be in the low to mid 50s.
Late Week and Weekend Weather
The active weather will be to our east on Thursday, allowing for a gradual transition from clouds to sun.
For western parts of the region, this transition will take place early in the day. However, for areas east of Cayuga Lake, it may take well into the afternoon to see some glimpses of sunshine.
Winds on Thursday will be out of the north with speeds around 10 mph. Top gusts will be around 25 mph.
Temperatures will be cooler, with highs Thursday afternoon mainly in the mid 40s. Some warmer pockets will reach the upper 40s to perhaps near 50 degrees.
Friday will start out with sunshine, but end with clouds as the next weather system approaches. Winds will be nearly calm before turning to the southeast late in the day.
Temperatures will start out in the upper 20s and low 30s Friday morning but will rebound to the low and mid 50s during the afternoon.
Low pressure and an associated cold front will slowly move into the area on Saturday. At this time, the morning looks dry with a gradual increase in showers Saturday afternoon.
The best chance for precipitation will come Saturday night into Sunday morning, some of which may fall as snow as colder air wraps into the system. However, the exact track and strength of the low will determine precipitation types and amounts.
A chilly, breezy day is expected on Monday with scattered lake effect snow showers. Most areas will not escape the 30s.
Temperatures are expected to rise again next week, and highs should at least be in the 50s for several days late in the week, if not warmer. More cool air will follow as the ups and downs of early spring continue.
More Information:
» Finger Lakes Weather Radar
» Zip Code Forecasts
» Get the FLX Weather Mobile App
This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.
