The National Weather Service says residents across the Finger Lakes and Central New York should prepare for a blustery, wet Wednesday as a fast-moving storm system brings damaging winds, rain showers, and even the chance of wet snow in higher elevations by nightfall.
A wind advisory remains in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday through early Thursday for nearly all of western and central New York, including Ontario, Yates, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Schuyler, and Steuben counties. Forecasters expect sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Some localized gusts could approach 55 mph, particularly along lake shorelines and hilltops.
Cold front to bring strongest winds this afternoon
A deepening low-pressure system will move just north of Lake Ontario this afternoon, dragging a sharp cold front across the region. The National Weather Service in Buffalo said winds will increase rapidly through the afternoon as the front approaches, peaking between mid-afternoon and evening.
“The strongest winds will be tied to the cold frontal passage itself and the immediate post-frontal cold air,” forecasters said early Wednesday. “These conditions will last three to six hours at any given location before diminishing from west to east overnight.”
The front will also bring widespread rain showers and a small chance for isolated thunderstorms between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. While instability will be limited, forecasters warn that any thunderstorm could briefly produce damaging wind gusts.
Behind the front, temperatures will drop quickly and winds will turn northwest. Light snow may mix with rain in the higher terrain east of Lake Ontario and across the western Adirondack foothills overnight, with minor accumulations possible on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Power outages and travel impacts possible
The strongest winds are expected late Wednesday afternoon into the evening. Tree limbs could be blown down, and scattered power outages are possible across the Finger Lakes and Central New York. The National Weather Service is advising drivers of high-profile vehicles to use caution, especially on elevated roadways and bridges.
New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) said they have staged more than 400 additional line and tree crews across their service areas to respond to possible outages. The utilities urged customers to secure outdoor items, charge mobile devices, and avoid downed power lines.
Customers can report outages by calling NYSEG at 1-800-572-1131 or RG&E at 1-800-743-1701. Updates are available at nyseg.com and rge.com.
Winds to ease Thursday, next system arrives Friday
Winds and showers will taper off late Wednesday night, though lake effect rain and snow showers may linger southeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario into Thursday morning. Skies will clear through the day as high pressure briefly builds in, bringing calmer but cooler conditions.
Another fast-moving storm system is expected to arrive Friday with another round of rain and gusty southwest winds, followed by a much colder air mass this weekend.
By Sunday and Monday, forecasters say highs may only reach the low to mid-30s, with widespread snow showers signaling an early taste of winter across the Finger Lakes and Central New York.
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