Binghamton, New York – A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for parts of central New York, with the potential for heavy lake effect snow that could significantly impact travel from late Thursday through Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, the watch includes northern Oneida County from Thursday evening through Saturday morning and Onondaga County from Friday morning through Saturday morning. Snowfall totals of more than 7 inches are possible in areas that experience persistent lake effect snow bands.
In northern Oneida County, forecasters say the highest risk for heavy snow is concentrated in the northwestern portion of the county, including areas near and north of Boonville. In Onondaga County, the greatest potential for significant snowfall is mainly north of the New York State Thruway, including parts of the Syracuse metro area.
Lake effect snow bands are expected to shift back and forth across the region, creating uncertainty in where the heaviest snowfall will occur. The National Weather Service cautioned that this could lead to sharp differences in snowfall totals over short distances, with some communities receiving substantially more snow than nearby locations.
Travel conditions could become very difficult at times, particularly during the Friday morning and Friday evening commutes. Sudden reductions in visibility and rapidly accumulating snow are possible within stronger snow bands.
Officials urged residents and travelers to closely monitor updated forecasts as confidence increases in band placement and snowfall amounts. A Winter Storm Watch indicates that conditions are favorable for significant winter weather but that details may still change.
Drivers are advised to prepare for possible hazardous travel late this week, especially in areas prone to lake effect snow, and to allow extra time for travel if warnings are later issued.
