Unusual Warmth in Rochester During Meteorological Summer
The meteorological summer in Rochester has been notably warmer than usual this year. From June 1 to the present, there have been 30 days where high temperatures exceeded the normal high for that day, and 34 days where low temperatures were above the typical low for that time of year. However, the region is about to experience a significant shift as cooler air moves in from Canada.
A pair of cold fronts are currently moving through the eastern Great Lakes, starting with the first front on Sunday evening. This slow-moving front brought scattered showers and some thunderstorms across the area, which are now being pushed out towards the southeast by 7:30 PM. The second cold front is gradually making its way south from central Ontario and is expected to clear out the remaining clouds over Western New York by Monday morning.
By Sunday evening, humidity levels have already dropped by 7 to 10 degrees compared to Sunday morning. However, temperatures will remain relatively sluggish in their decline until the cooler Canadian air mass fully takes over by Monday morning. Low temperatures on Monday are expected to range from the upper 50s to the low 60s.
On Monday, a light north breeze will help keep temperatures in check, even though strong sunshine is expected throughout the day. High temperatures will only reach the upper 60s in the hills and the low 70s in lower-lying areas. Skies will remain mostly clear as the night approaches. Given the light breeze, low dew points, and clear skies, it’s possible that towns located at elevations above 1,000 feet may experience overnight temperatures in the mid to upper 40s.
High pressure will continue to dominate the weather pattern on Tuesday, although a slight shift eastward will allow for a slight southerly breeze, which could push temperatures into the upper 70s. By Wednesday, heat and humidity will return, with temperatures rising into the mid-80s.
Although the recent cool spell offers a brief taste of September-like conditions, typical mid-July weather is expected to return by the middle and end of the week. Temperatures are likely to approach 90 degrees, and scattered thunderstorms could develop, especially later in the week. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of the region’s weather patterns, offering a mix of extremes that can quickly change from one day to the next.
