Turning Cold
Temperatures have taken a step back behind yesterday’s weather system, but much colder air is yet to come this weekend.
Today will be a quiet but rather cloudy day. A few snow showers will be possible from time to time, as will a little brightness in thin spots between clouds.
Winds will be breezy from the northwest with speeds of 10-15 mph. These winds will weaken late and eventually reverse course and turn to the southeast tonight.
Temperatures will top out in the low and mid 30s this afternoon, though a few hilltops will probably stick to the upper 20s. Evening temperatures will fall to the mid and upper 20s where they will then hold steady overnight.
Our next weather maker will spread widespread snow into the area Friday morning. The snow will continue steadily through the afternoon and into the evening hours.
Most places should see an inch or two of accumulation during the daytime and evening hours, though some lower elevations may only see a light coating.
Temperatures should hover near the freezing mark for most areas on Friday, so some lesser traveled roads may get a little snowy.
Winds will be light from the east on Friday but will turn to the north by the evening as low pressure drops southeast across Pennsylvania and feeds a new low out over the Atlantic Ocean.
The north winds will start to funnel cold air into the area with temperatures around 20 degrees by Saturday morning.
Snow will transition seamlessly from the weather system to lake effect south of Lake Ontario, meaning many areas will continue to see snow through Friday night and much of Saturday.
The focal point for snow will gradually shift to the more highly favored snow belts southeast of Lake Ontario during the day Saturday.
Additional snow on Saturday should range from 1 to 4 inches for much of the area with locally higher amounts across Wayne, Cayuga, Onondaga and perhaps northern Cortland counties. The Southern Tier has the lowest chance for snow accumulations, but even there, most areas should see a coating to an inch, mostly Saturday morning.
Wind speeds will also increase Friday night and will be around 15 mph for most of Saturday. Top gusts should be around 30 mph. Temperatures will remain in the low 20s throughout the day Saturday.
White Christmas?
Lake effect will gradually dwindle on Sunday as high pressure builds in with dry air. Snow showers will still be likely in some areas Sunday morning, but the afternoon should be limited to a few stray flurries.
Sunday morning will start with temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees while afternoon highs stick mainly to the mid and locally upper 10s.
Winds will weaken throughout the day and there may even be some sunshine before the day is done. Skies should continue to clear Sunday night.
The clearing skies, calming winds, and fresh snow will send temperatures into the single digits overnight and I wouldn’t be surprised if a few cold pockets slip below zero.
A south wind will take over on Monday, though it will remain light. Sunshine early in the day will get replaced by increasing clouds in the afternoon. Temperatures should make it into the mid 20s in the afternoon and will mostly hold steady through the overnight.
Tuesday, Christmas Eve, may have some light snow or mixed precipitation as warmer air makes a stronger push toward the area. Confidence remains low on this, but if it happens, accumulations look minor.
The weather remains uncertain for Christmas Day on Wednesday, though it should at least be cloudy with highs in the mid 30s. Whether there is any precipitation is still unknown.
With temperatures not expected to climb above freezing until Wednesday itself, any areas that pick up snow accumulation this weekend, and that should be most areas, should be able to hold on to it until Wednesday.
Temperatures should climb toward and into the 40s late next week with quiet weather favored.
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.
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