Utica, New York – Drivers across central New York could face rapidly deteriorating travel conditions Tuesday afternoon as lake-effect snow bands set up across Oneida County, potentially dropping up to 10 inches of snow by Wednesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, a Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning for Northern and Southern Oneida counties, including Utica, Rome, and Boonville.
Lake-effect snow developing downwind of Lake Ontario could produce 6 to 10 inches of accumulation, with winds gusting up to 35 mph. These conditions may lead to reduced visibility and snow-covered roads during the Tuesday evening commute and again early Wednesday morning.
Major routes such as Interstate 90, Route 12, and Route 49 may experience quickly changing conditions as narrow snow bands move through the region. In typical lake-effect setups, snowfall intensity can vary dramatically over short distances, leaving one town buried in snow while nearby areas see little accumulation.
Officials advise motorists to prepare for rapid visibility drops and slick roads, especially in higher terrain north of Utica toward Boonville, which often sees heavier lake-effect snowfall.
Residents should monitor forecast updates as the event approaches. Forecasters say the watch could be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning if confidence increases in heavier snowfall totals.
