New York — A gray, damp calm hangs over the hills of the Southern Tier this morning, but a sharp drop in temperature is coming. For travelers across I-81 and Route 17, the next few days will bring changing conditions—mild air giving way to the first true taste of winter.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, light rain showers may develop late today before a strong cold front sweeps through. Temperatures will reach near 60°F before plunging toward freezing tonight, setting up a rain-to-snow mix by Thanksgiving morning. Early commuters and travelers should prepare for slick spots, especially across higher terrain north and west of the city.
Thanksgiving Day will feel more like early December than late November. Expect highs near 40°F with scattered snow showers developing through the afternoon and gusty winds up to 30 mph. Travel impacts look minor at first but could increase into the evening as roads cool and snow showers pick up in intensity.
By Thursday night, the region transitions fully to snow, and Friday morning could bring a coating to 2 inches, mainly on grassy and elevated surfaces. Daytime highs will only reach the upper 30s, and wind chills may dip into the 20s.
Saturday looks calmer but stays cold—high near 36°F under partly sunny skies. Another system may bring fresh snow chances by Sunday night into Monday, part of a broader cold pattern spreading across the Northeast.
Looking farther ahead, early December could bring a strong Arctic front sweeping across the U.S., potentially setting up heavier snow across northern states from December 1–5. For now, Binghamton’s Thanksgiving weekend feels like the opening act of true winter.
Five-Day Outlook (Wed–Sun)
• Today: Cloudy, 60°F.
• Thursday: 40°F, rain/snow mix.
• Friday: Snow showers, 37°F.
• Saturday: 36°F, partly sunny.
• Sunday: 43°F, evening snow chance.
