Travelers in the Finger Lakes and Central New York regions can expect unseasonably warm temperatures and periods of rain as they head into the final days of 2024 and the start of the new year.
According to the National Weather Service, high pressure will bring dry conditions and clearing skies through Friday, with temperatures rising to near 40 degrees in Western New York and the mid-30s east of Lake Ontario. However, a shift in the weather pattern is expected starting Saturday, with multiple storm systems bringing rain and unusually warm temperatures.
By Saturday, rain showers will spread across the region as a warm front lifts northeast. While most areas will see only rain, a brief period of freezing rain is possible in the St. Lawrence Valley early Saturday. Temperatures will continue to rise, reaching highs in the 40s by the weekend.
The wettest period is expected Sunday into Monday as another weather system brings widespread rain, with total rainfall amounts potentially reaching one inch or more. This rainfall, combined with melting snowpack, may lead to river and creek rises, though flooding is not currently anticipated outside of isolated areas such as the Black River basin. Temperatures are forecasted to climb into the low to mid-50s, with some areas possibly nearing 60 degrees.
The unusually mild conditions will gradually cool after Monday as another weather system moves in by midweek, bringing chances for additional rain and potentially a rain-snow mix late Wednesday. A significant pattern shift is expected after the New Year, with a plunge into much colder temperatures driven by Arctic air sweeping into the region.
While weather conditions over the coming week will be favorable for travel compared to typical late-December storms, travelers are advised to remain cautious on Saturday morning due to potential icy spots in areas with freezing rain. Additionally, water levels in rivers and streams could rise rapidly by early next week due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Looking ahead, forecasters warn that the first week of January could bring a return to harsh winter conditions, with below-average temperatures expected to dominate the region.
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