New York — A gray dawn settles over the Southern Tier as a thin, cold breeze drifts across wet pavement and frosted roofs. Clouds ride low over the hills east of Binghamton, hinting at the unsettled stretch ahead just as Thanksgiving travel begins to surge across I-81, Route 17, and local connectors.
Today stays mainly dry, but the chilly air and filtered sun encourage early preparation. According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, moisture increases on Thursday as a broad disturbance lifts through New York. Light rain develops by late afternoon, then expands through the evening. Travel may slow on higher ridgelines where visibility narrows quickly in mist and low stratus. Residents should build extra time into drives, charge devices, and secure any outdoor holiday décor before winds shift later in the week.
Wednesday brings a brief break with bright, steady sunshine and highs mid-40s. After all, the quiet pattern offers a good chance for last-minute errands and early campus pickups. But models hint at a Winter Tease Thursday night as colder air edges south from the Finger Lakes. No snow is expected in Binghamton, though a few flakes could mix north of the city above 1,800 feet. Any changeover would be brief, but drivers should watch for sudden road dampness that can mask slick patches in shaded curves.
Friday turns wetter again. Periods of showers may clip the region before midday and potentially affect early holiday departures. To be fair, temperatures remain mild enough to prevent wintry issues, yet the cumulative rain could slow traffic moving toward the Pennsylvania line.
This weekend brings brighter conditions. Saturday features cool, partly sunny skies and a calmer breeze, giving travelers a friendlier window before the heavier Thanksgiving flow begins early next week.
