Your Cortland County weather forecast for Thursday, December 24, 2020:
A flood watch is in effect for Cortland County today as a warm, windy and moist atmosphere leads to rapid snow melt and combines with heavy rain.
The day will start out just cloudy, but strong winds that developed overnight will continue. These winds will be from the south, transporting high amounts of moisture into the region.
Wind speeds will be near 15 mph with top gusts around 40 mph.
The wind will push temperatures to near 50 degrees this afternoon. The wind and warm temperatures alone will be enough to produce significant snow melt.
Rain showers will move in during the midday hours and increase in coverage an intensity through the afternoon. Periods of heavy rain are likely and will continue into the evening.
As much as two inches of rain may fall through the evening hours. With another 2-3 inches of water locked in the snowpack, most of which should melt, significant amounts of water will inundate small streams and result in significant rises on larger rivers, like the Tioughnioga.
The current expectations are for the Tioughnioga to crest on Friday near moderate flood stage. Flash flooding will also be possible, especially along small streams and in urban areas where storm drains are blocked by snowbanks.
Temperatures will hold in the upper 40s through the evening before crashing to near 30 in the predawn hours. A brief period of ice and snow will be possible, along with areas of flash freezing on roadways, making travel early Christmas morning treacherous.
Here is a look at the weather for the next several days:
Friday: Precipitation tapers off and ends as some snow showers. Morning roads may be slick. Morning temperatures drop into the low 30s from the 50s and 40s overnight. Afternoon temperatures fall into the mid 20s.
Saturday: Partly cloudy. Maybe a flurry. Morning lows in the mid teens. Afternoon highs in the mid 20s.
Sunday: Increasing sunshine. Maybe an early snow shower. Morning lows in the upper teens. Afternoon highs in the low 30s.
Monday: Cloudy with scattered rain and snow showers. Morning lows in the upper 20s. Afternoon highs in the low 40s.
