(WSYR-TV, Syracuse) Plenty of change weather-wise in central New York over the next 24 hours. It starts with record warmth today. Syracuse has already smashed the old record of 54 degrees which stood for just seven years. It is quite likely we will warm into the low 60s early this afternoon. The warmth will be brought in this afternoon by gusty south winds. Over the hilltops today the wind could gust to 50 mph or greater while over lower elevations the gusts will be closer to 30 mph.
Meanwhile, a strong cold front will approach Central New York later tonight and bring quite a change to our weather. First, we expect rain to become more widespread later this afternoon and into tonight, with it falling hard at times. In fact, a Flood Watch is in effect for most of Central New York through tomorrow morning. Once the cold front moves through the rain may taper off but winds will increase over the entire region. Very late tonight into early Thursday there will be a period of strong, potentially damaging, winds.
This wind is ushering much colder air and that will set the stage for another heavy lake effect snow event east of Lake Ontario during the day Thursday. Outside the lake effect Thursday, it will be a blustery day with just some flurries. Lake effect snow looks to take aim at Syracuse for the morning commute Friday.
