Watertown, New York – Snow-covered roads and reduced visibility are expected to disrupt travel across the Eastern Lake Ontario region beginning late Tuesday morning, with the most significant impacts focused on the Tug Hill Plateau during peak commute hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday through 1 a.m. Thursday for Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties. Snow totals of 6 to 11 inches are expected across the Tug Hill Plateau, while lower elevations near Oswego and Watertown are likely to see 2 to 5 inches.
Snow will develop Tuesday morning and continue in waves as colder air moves over Lake Ontario, enhancing lake effect snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday. Travel along I-81, Route 177, Route 12, and Route 104 could become especially difficult during the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes as bands of snow reduce visibility and rapidly coat road surfaces.
Communities such as Lowville and areas east of Watertown are most likely to see the highest accumulations, with near-whiteout conditions possible under persistent lake effect bands. Motorists are urged to slow down, increase following distance, and avoid unnecessary travel during heavier snow periods.
The advisory remains in effect into early Thursday, and additional alerts may be issued if lake effect bands intensify or linger longer than expected. Drivers should continue monitoring road conditions and be prepared for rapidly changing winter travel conditions.
