A mostly dry Veterans Day will give the Finger Lakes and Central New York a break before rain spreads into the region tonight, followed by colder air and chances for wet snow late in the week.
Wednesday’s highs will reach the middle to upper 50s in several communities, with light winds, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters in Buffalo and Binghamton expect rain to become more widespread overnight and continue through Thursday.
Light winds and a dry daytime stretch
Mostly cloudy skies are forecast in Auburn, Geneva and Syracuse today. Ithaca may have patchy fog between 7 and 9 a.m., followed by increasing clouds. Winds will be light and variable across much of the region as a weak area of high pressure moves east.
The weather service’s Wednesday forecasts call for highs near 54 in Auburn and Syracuse, 56 in Geneva and 58 in Ithaca. Tonight’s lows are forecast near 40 in Auburn, 39 in Syracuse, 42 in Geneva and 41 in Ithaca.
That keeps the first round of precipitation as rain. Geneva could see a few showers as early as this evening, while the city forecasts for Auburn and Syracuse put the main rain after 1 a.m. Ithaca’s rain is expected mainly after midnight.
Rain becomes widespread tonight and Thursday
Rain will develop from west to east as low pressure crosses the Ohio Valley. It may begin light and spotty before becoming steadier toward daybreak Thursday.
Rain is forecast throughout Thursday, with highs near 47 in Auburn and Geneva, 48 in Syracuse and 50 in Ithaca. The four city forecasts put the chance of precipitation at 100%, with another quarter to half an inch of rain possible during the day.
An initial tenth to quarter of an inch is possible tonight in Auburn, Geneva and Syracuse. Ithaca’s overnight forecast calls for less than a tenth of an inch before the more substantial Thursday rain.
Winds turn northerly Thursday as colder air arrives. The change will start a cooler, unsettled stretch that lasts into the weekend.
Wet snow chances rise Thursday night
Rain may mix with or change to wet snow Thursday night, particularly on higher terrain. The colder air then remains in place Friday and Saturday, with occasional rain and snow showers at lower elevations and snow more likely on higher ground.
The Finger Lakes outlook still favors limited accumulation. Warm ground, light precipitation and temperatures near freezing will make it difficult for snow to stick, especially during the daytime.
Binghamton forecasters project up to about an inch on higher terrain through Thursday night and Friday, with only a few tenths of an inch for many other locations. Buffalo forecasters expect very minor slushy amounts on the higher hills of the Finger Lakes and western Southern Tier, with little or no accumulation at lower elevations.
The Syracuse and Ithaca city forecasts allow for less than half an inch Thursday night. Auburn and Geneva are forecast to have little or no accumulation during that period. Friday’s highs are expected around 41 to 43, with a morning mix tending toward rain as temperatures rise.
- FL1 FORECAST: Mild, breezy Tuesday gives way to late-week rain and wet snow chances
- FL1 FORECAST: Gusty winds and showers ease today before late-week rain returns
- FL1 FORECAST: Gusty Sunday brings a brief rain break before more showers tonight
- New York City weather update predicts shifting conditions with rain chances and weekend temperature drops
A stronger snowfall signal is focused farther northeast. The Tug Hill Plateau and western Adirondacks could receive several inches of wet snow Thursday night if steadier precipitation holds there, according to the Buffalo office.
Chilly weekend before a gradual improvement
Friday night’s lows are forecast around 30 to 32 in the four cities, followed by Saturday highs in the lower 40s. Rain or snow showers may linger into Saturday, with some lower-elevation locations changing back to rain during the afternoon.
A few showers could persist into Sunday, particularly in Central New York and southeast of the lakes. High pressure is expected to bring a drier pattern early next week, with temperatures gradually moderating.
Northeast winds will also strengthen over the lower Great Lakes tonight and Thursday. The Buffalo office expects another round of small craft advisory conditions, with only gradual improvement over the weekend.
Check the latest forecast at the FingerLakes1.com Weather Center.
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