Syracuse, NY – A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for parts of central and northern New York from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning, as a prolonged lake effect snow event is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel, according to the National Weather Service in Binghamton.
The watch includes Madison, Onondaga, and both Northern and Southern Oneida counties, covering the cities of Syracuse, Rome, Oneida, Hamilton, and Utica. Forecasters warn of snow totals exceeding 7 inches in the most persistent lake effect bands, along with gusty winds up to 40 mph that could produce whiteout conditions.
The NWS cautions that visibility may drop rapidly within snow bands, with blowing and drifting snow making travel difficult or hazardous through the busy Thanksgiving holiday period.
Meteorologists advise residents and travelers to monitor forecast updates and prepare for rapidly changing road conditions, noting that weather could vary sharply over short distances during the event.
