Showers, Thunderstorms and Sunshine Ahead for the Week

Central New York gets a little bit of everything over the next several days: a few rounds of showers, a couple chances for thunderstorms, pockets of fog, and some bright breaks that should make Friday stand out as the cleanest outdoor day.

The pattern is not a washout from start to finish. The week has windows of dry weather, especially late Thursday night into Friday. The more unsettled stretch arrives this weekend, when showers become more likely Saturday night and continue into Sunday.

For the Canastota area and nearby parts of Central New York, the main things to watch are the timing of afternoon showers today, fog late tonight into Thursday morning, and a wetter Saturday night to Sunday setup.

Clouds will build at times, but the week still brings several dry breaks.

Today brings the first round of showers and a possible thunderstorm

Today starts with some sun mixed with clouds, but the weather becomes more active as the day goes on. A slight chance of showers is possible before 2 p.m. After that, showers become more likely between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., and a thunderstorm could develop during that window.

The high should reach near 81 degrees, so the day will feel mild and a little unstable once clouds build. Winds stay light early, then turn west at about 5 to 7 mph during the afternoon. That is not a strong wind, but it may be enough to help shift showers through the area.

The chance of precipitation is 60 percent, which means it is smart to plan for rain even if it does not fall everywhere at the same time. Most rainfall should stay light, with new amounts under a tenth of an inch. Thunderstorms are the exception. If one passes over the same spot, rainfall could briefly become heavier.

The highest-impact part of the day is likely the afternoon. Outdoor errands, school pickups, practices, and late-day travel should account for changing conditions. A location may be dry at noon and wet by midafternoon.

A few practical takeaways for today:

• Keep a rain jacket or umbrella nearby after lunch.

• Avoid assuming the whole day will stay dry just because the morning looks decent.

• If thunder develops, move indoors and wait until the storm has passed.

• Roads may turn slick during brief downpours, especially where leaves, oil, or dust have collected.

  
  

By evening, showers and thunderstorms remain possible after 5 p.m., but the chances ease compared with the midafternoon window. Conditions should trend quieter tonight.

Fog may form late tonight and again Thursday morning

Tonight turns partly cloudy with a low near 55 degrees. Winds stay light out of the southwest, which can allow moisture near the ground to settle. That sets up a chance for patchy fog after midnight.

Fog is not expected to be everywhere, but it can matter where it forms. Valleys, low spots, open fields, and areas near water may see reduced visibility late tonight into early Thursday morning. For early commuters, that means headlights, slower speeds, and extra space between vehicles may be needed in a few areas.

Thursday starts with patchy fog before 9 a.m. Once that fog lifts, clouds increase through the day. A slight chance of showers appears between noon and 2 p.m., but the overall rain chance is much lower than today at 20 percent.

The high Thursday should reach near 77 degrees. Winds begin calm, then become northwest around 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. That northwest breeze may help the air feel a little fresher, especially once the fog and morning dampness clear out.

Late-night and early-morning fog could reduce visibility in spots.

Thursday night looks calm and mostly clear, with a low near 51 degrees. That cooler, clearer setup gives the region a comfortable break before a sunnier Friday.

Here is a quick look at the midweek period:

Period	Main weather	Temperature	Rain chance
Today	Afternoon showers likely, possible thunderstorm	High near 81	60%
Tonight	Partly cloudy, patchy fog after midnight	Low near 55	Low
Thursday	Morning fog, increasing clouds, slight shower chance midday	High near 77	20%
Thursday night	Mostly clear and calm	Low near 51	Low

The main message for the first half of the forecast is simple: the steadiest shower chance comes today, while Thursday looks much more limited and quieter.

Friday looks like the best day for outdoor plans

Friday is the standout dry day in this forecast. Expect sunny skies, calm wind, and a high near 80 degrees. Friday night stays mostly clear with a low around 56 degrees.

That makes Friday the best choice for mowing, longer walks, outdoor work, sports practices, farmers market prep, or any activity that benefits from a stable sky. It also offers a useful window before weather turns more active again over the weekend.

The air should feel comfortable for much of the day. Morning temperatures will start cool, then warm steadily under sunshine. With calm winds expected, the day should feel easy for most outdoor plans.

If you have flexibility, Friday is the day to prioritize anything that does not pair well with rain. Yard cleanup, painting touch-ups, patio plans, and longer drives all fit better here than Saturday night or Sunday.

Friday night also looks favorable for evening plans. With mostly clear skies and temperatures settling into the 50s, it should feel cool but not cold. A light jacket may be enough after sunset.

Friday should bring one of the brightest and driest windows of the week.

That dry stretch does not last the whole weekend. Saturday begins on a warmer and partly pleasant note, then shower chances return later in the day.

The weekend turns wetter, especially Saturday night and Sunday

Saturday starts mostly sunny and warmer, with a high near 83 degrees. A chance of showers returns after 2 p.m., but the daytime rain chance sits at 30 percent. That means many areas may get through a good part of Saturday without rain, especially earlier in the day.

The more notable change arrives Saturday night. Showers become likely, mainly after 8 p.m., with a low around 59 degrees. The chance of precipitation rises to 80 percent, so evening and overnight plans should be made with wet weather in mind.

Sunday continues the unsettled theme. Showers are likely, and thunderstorms may develop after 2 p.m. The high should reach near 78 degrees, and the rain chance remains 80 percent.

This looks like the wettest stretch of the forecast. It does not guarantee constant rain every minute from Saturday night through Sunday, but it does mean the odds favor wet periods. Thunderstorms could also bring brief heavier rain, rumbles of thunder, and changing visibility on roads.

If weekend plans are flexible, earlier Saturday is the better outdoor window. Saturday afternoon carries some risk, Saturday night looks wetter, and Sunday is the least reliable day for dry conditions.

A simple weekend planning guide:

Timeframe	Best use of the weather window
Saturday morning	Best chance for dry errands, yard work, or outdoor events
Saturday afternoon	Watch for showers after 2 p.m.
Saturday night	Plan for rain, especially after 8 p.m.
Sunday	Expect showers, with thunder possible after 2 p.m.
Sunday night	Conditions slowly ease, but some showers may linger

Sunday night brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Skies stay mostly cloudy, and temperatures fall to around 54 degrees. The rain chance drops to 30 percent, which suggests the steadier activity should begin to wind down.

Early next week stays mixed but less intense

Monday keeps a chance of showers in the forecast, with partly sunny skies and a high near 75 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent, so the day looks unsettled but not as wet as Sunday.

Monday night turns partly cloudy with a low near 53 degrees. Tuesday then looks partly sunny, with a high near 77 degrees.

That early-week pattern is more manageable. There may still be showers around Monday, but the forecast points toward less widespread rain after the weekend system moves through. Tuesday offers a return to drier, calmer conditions, though clouds may still share the sky with sunshine.

For planning purposes, Monday is a “check the radar before heading out” kind of day. Tuesday looks more dependable, especially if you need a dry period for commuting, appointments, or outdoor cleanup after the weekend rain.

The pattern should ease early next week as showers become less widespread.

How to plan around the changing forecast

This is the kind of forecast where timing matters more than the daily label. A day with showers in the forecast can still include several dry hours. A sunny morning can still give way to afternoon storms. Central New York often sees that kind of change when warm air, light wind, and passing disturbances overlap.

For the next several days, the best planning approach is to group activities by weather risk.

Best dry window

Friday stands out. Thursday night into Friday should be mostly clear, and Friday looks sunny with a high near 80. If something needs dry weather, aim there.

Best weekend outdoor window

Saturday morning is the better bet. The afternoon brings a shower chance, and rain becomes much more likely after 8 p.m.

Highest rain risk

Saturday night and Sunday carry the strongest signal for widespread showers. Sunday also includes a thunderstorm chance after 2 p.m.

Fog concern

Late tonight and Thursday morning could bring patchy fog. Drivers should be ready for quick visibility changes, especially in lower areas.

Thunderstorm concern

Today from midafternoon into early evening and Sunday afternoon carry the main thunderstorm chances. Lightning is the biggest concern with any storm. If thunder is close enough to hear, it is close enough to take seriously.

The forecast does not point to a week of severe weather from start to finish. It points to a shifting pattern with useful breaks. Today brings the first more active period, Friday gives the area a bright pause, and the weekend brings the next wetter stretch.

Keep the umbrella close today, make the most of Friday’s sunshine, and treat Saturday night into Sunday as the main period to watch. The week ahead may be mixed, but with a little timing, there is still plenty of room to work around the showers.