Jessica Rennells, NOAA Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University
Last week temperatures ranged from 9 to 12 degrees above normal for most of the state. Areas of Oswego, Onondaga, and Cayuga counties were over 12 degrees above normal, while areas in the St Lawrence Valley were 6 to 9 degrees above normal. Precipitation amounts ranged from just a trace to an inch for most of the state, isolated areas had up to 2 inches due to storms earlier in the week. The base 50 growing degree-days ranged from 100 to 150.
Today will be sunny with temperatures closer to normal. Western NY will see mid 60’s, increasing across the state to upper 70’s along the Hudson Valley. Overnight temperatures will be in the mid to upper 40’s.
Friday will be mostly cloudy and rainy with highs in the 70’s. A low-pressure system will move across the state on Friday and into the evening brining showers, heavy at times and thunderstorms are possible. Precip totals are expected to be 1-1 1/2 inches. Lows will be in the 50’s.
Saturday will be cloudy with showers possible throughout the day and highs in the mid to upper 60’s. Lows will be in the upper 40’s and low 50’s.
Sunday will cloudy with possible showers throughout the day but peaking in the afternoon, highs will be in the upper 60’s and low 70’s. Overnight temperatures will be in the low 50’s.
Monday will be partly sunny with a chance for showers and temperatures in the 70’s. Lows will be in the mid to upper 50’s.
Tuesday’s temperatures will be in the upper 60’s and low 70’s with partly sunny skies. Lows will be in the 50’s.
Wednesday will be in the mid 60’s to low 70’s with overnight temperatures in the low to mid 50’s.
The five-day precipitation amounts will range from 1.5 to over 2 inches. The 8-14 day out look is showing above normal temperatures for all but the lower Hudson Valley and normal precipitation for most of the state (Chautauqua county is in below normal precip; lower Hudson Valley is in above normal precip). The current Drought Monitor now has areas of western NY and the southern Hudson Valley and Catskills as abnormally dry, though Friday’s rain should help to alleviate this.
Maps of 8-14 day outlooks:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/index.php
National Weather Service watch/warnings map:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/hq/
NRCC Drought Page which features the US Drought Monitor map (updated every Thursday):
http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/page_drought.html
