Cold front brings strong winds, squalls, and dropping temperatures

Wednesday Cold Front

A warm front last night pushed temperatures into the mid and even upper 30s by sunrise this morning.

Now, a cold front is approaching and will start to send temperatures the other way again.

Bursts of snow and some rain showers are out ahead of the front this morning. With temperatures slightly warmer than expected already, some of the anticipated squally weather this morning may end up as rain instead.

Still, temperatures will start to slide later this morning, reducing the chances for rain and increasing the chances for hazardous snow squalls.

Most of the squalls should move out of the region by the early afternoon. Be on the lookout for rapidly changing weather and travel conditions until then.

Already strong southwest winds will turn to the northwest this morning and increase further. Wind speeds will be near or over 20 mph with gusts to 45 mph or even locally 50 mph. Temperatures will fall back into the upper 20s and low 30s this afternoon, possibly turning wet roads icy.

After a break in the much of the precipitation this afternoon, lake effect snow will develop around sunset and into the evening. Multiple bands of snow will run northwest to southeast across the Finger Lakes.

These bands should be quite thin, so heavier accumulations may be limited to localized areas. Still, maximum snow amounts from the squalls today and lake effect tonight could locally approach or exceed 6 inches. A greater percentage of the area will see around or less than an inch, though.

Temperatures will steadily fall overnight, with lows ranging through the 10s. Wind speeds will gradually fall.

Any lingering snow Thursday morning will be contained over the far northeastern Finger Lakes and will quickly move north.

The rest of the region will experience clouds with some occasional breaks of sun. Lighter winds will turn to the west, then southwest early on.

Despite the cold start, temperatures will rebound to a high in the low 30s. Temperatures will then rise a couple more degrees overnight, starting Friday in the mid and upper 30s.

Continued Temperature Swings

The next weather system will move in on Friday with mostly rain falling through the morning and first half of the afternoon. Many areas should top out around 40 degrees.

However, colder air will start to move back in, changing rain to snow late in the day. Only minor amounts are expected before the precipitation ends.

Saturday will be cloudy but overall quiet. Some blustery northwest winds early on will weaken through the morning with only light winds during the afternoon.

Temperatures will start the day in the low 20s and will probably lose a couple more degrees over the course of the day. The temperature will bottom out again in the 10 Saturday evening but will hold steady or creep up slightly again Saturday night.

The active weather pattern continues on Sunday with some light snow in the afternoon. Temperatures will climb to the low 30s during the day. Abnormal temperature patterns will persist, with nighttime temperatures rising a few degrees to the mid 30s.

Monday has a good shot at seeing highs near or above 40 degrees with a few scattered rain showers. The warm air will again be short-lived, with temperatures Tuesday holding steady in the mid 20s with some morning flurries.

Another warming trend is possible late next week with another shot at 40 degrees Thursday and/or Friday. Spurts of snow and possibly some rain will continue to be possible.

More Information:

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This graphic represents an average over the entire Finger Lakes region. Localized variations should be expected.