Residents in the Finger Lakes region should prepare for potentially damaging frost as temperatures are expected to fall into the low 30s early Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory covering much of Western and Central New York.
Where the frost advisory applies
According to the National Weather Service, the advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, for the following counties:
- Western New York: Erie, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany
- Central New York: Oneida, Yates, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Madison, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Tioga, Broome, Delaware
- Northeast Pennsylvania: Bradford, Susquehanna, Northern Wayne
What to expect in the Finger Lakes forecast
The frost advisory indicates temperatures ranging from 32°F to 36°F across the region, especially in wind-sheltered valleys and low-lying areas.
- Impacts: Frost may damage or kill sensitive outdoor plants if left uncovered.
- Recommended actions: The National Weather Service advises residents to take immediate precautions by covering or bringing plants indoors.
Weather outlook for the week
High pressure from Canada will maintain dry but cool conditions across the Finger Lakes through Tuesday. However, the National Weather Service warns of a shift in the pattern starting midweek:
- Wednesday–Saturday: A closed low-pressure system is forecast to bring unsettled weather, including on-and-off rain showers and cooler-than-average temperatures.
- Sunshine returns briefly on Tuesday, but increasing cloud cover is expected by evening as moisture begins to move into the region.
What happens next
After the frost threat passes Tuesday morning, attention will turn to a moisture-rich system developing over the Ohio Valley. Rain and cooler conditions are likely to persist into the weekend. Residents should monitor weather.gov for updated forecasts and advisories.
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