Quiet, cool weather settles in for the rest of the week

Late Week Weather Forecast

A subtle cold front moved through the Finger Lakes overnight out ahead of a Canadian high pressure system that is building into the Upper Great Lakes.

There is still abundant cloud cover across the region this morning with the front lingering, but dry air will gradually move in and erode away at the clouds.

Some areas may not see much if any sunshine this morning, and like yesterday, it may be a slow process even into the afternoon. Eventually, though, sunshine should mix with small clouds throughout the region.

A steady north-northwest wind will develop through the morning, peaking during the midday and afternoon with speeds of 10-15 mph. A few gusts may reach 30 mph.

These winds will bring in cool air with highs ranging through the 50s this afternoon. The valleys of the Southern Tier will be warmest in the upper 50s, while some higher elevations, particularly in and around Cortland County, may not get out of the low 50s.

Clouds will be limited tonight, though not completely gone. North-northwest winds will continue with speeds of 5-10 mph.

It will be chilly, with most areas dropping into the 30s. The coldest outlying areas may see low 30s with freeze conditions, but these areas have technically already had their growing season end. As such, no frost advisories or freeze warnings will be issued here, but cold sensitive plants should be protected.

The warmer areas will be near the lake shores, where upper 30s are more likely. Here, the growing season is still ongoing, but frost will be harder to come by. Still, a proactive, just-in-case attitude toward protecting plants is reasonable.

Thursday will be much sunnier than today, though some passing, mainly thin clouds will drift through from time to time.

Winds will be similar to today, and perhaps even a touch stronger during the early afternoon. Temperatures will be a degree or two colder in the afternoon, with fewer upper 50s and more low 50s. Still, most areas should be in the mid 50s.

The wind will become mostly calm Thursday night, leading to a slightly colder night. Frost and freeze conditions are expected to be widespread, and like last week, a few areas may dip into the upper 20s.

Northerly winds will persist on Friday as well, though with much lighter wind speeds. Skies will be mixed with highs close to what they will be today.

Weekend Weather, Then Unsettled

Winds will turn around to the south Friday night, but will remain light at under 5 mph. Typically warmer northern and near-lake areas will stay in the 40s, while parts of the Southern Tier and Central New York will dip into the 30s.

Saturday should have a mix of sun and clouds. A stray shower cannot be totally ruled out as warmer air starts to move in, but any rain should be very isolated, brief, and light.

Temperatures will warm from west to east, with highs approaching 70 degrees near Dansville and into the upper 60s throughout the areas west of Canandaigua Lake. Most areas will end up I the mid 60s, but low 60s and even some higher terrain upper 50s are likely in the eastern half of the region.

Low pressure will develop over Michigan on Sunday, with a second low over the Mid-Atlantic on Monday.

The paths and interplay of these lows are still uncertain and will have a role in our weather late Sunday into next week. For now, though, most if not all of Sunday is looking dry and warm with highs approaching 70 degrees.

Rain will become more likely Sunday night and especially on Monday. Temperatures will quickly retreat back to the 50s.

A third low from Canada will quickly move east and merge with the second low by Tuesday, strengthening as it drifts north on Wednesday. This will quickly be followed by another system Thursday into Friday.

The result will be plenty of chances for rain next week, though the details on when and how much are too uncertain with this complex pattern. Temperatures will remain seasonable in the 55-65 degree range most of the time.

More Information:

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