The hottest day of the summer arrives tomorrow, and the numbers coming out of the NWS Buffalo and Binghamton offices are not ones to take lightly. Both offices have Heat Advisories covering every county across the Finger Lakes, running through Tuesday at 8:00 PM.
Tonight’s low of 64° will feel comfortable compared to what’s coming — clear skies and light northwest winds keep the overnight hours manageable. No frost risk, no precipitation.
Tomorrow is a different story. A massive high-pressure dome centered over the Great Lakes is pumping 850-millibar temperatures into the 99th percentile for mid-July, pushing afternoon highs to 96° in Geneva and touching 91° or higher in Ithaca and Watkins Glen. The real danger arrives midday: a low-level jet strengthens southerly winds to 25–40 mph gusts while drawing a plume of moisture into the region, sending dew points into the low 70s and heat indices as high as 105°. Stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who don’t have air conditioning.
Relief arrives Wednesday as a cold front sweeps down from eastern Canada, scrubbing out the humidity. Highs ease back to 89° Wednesday and further to the mid-80s by Thursday.
Weather Center forecast for the Finger Lakes region. Sourced from NWS, Open-Meteo, NWS Area Forecast Discussion, and USGS stream-flow data. Updated 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM ET.