Syracuse, New York – Travel across central New York could become treacherous starting Wednesday night as rain changes to snow, followed by accumulating snowfall and developing lake effect bands that linger into early Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, a Winter Weather Advisory takes effect Wednesday evening for a large portion of central New York and parts of northeast Pennsylvania. In the Syracuse area and across Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, and southern Cayuga counties, snowfall totals of 4 to 7 inches are expected from Wednesday night through Friday morning. Roads may quickly become icy as temperatures drop below freezing after the rain-to-snow transition.
Farther south, including Binghamton, Ithaca, Cortland, Elmira, Corning, Watkins Glen, Norwich, and Owego, snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected through Thursday afternoon. Bradford and Susquehanna counties in Pennsylvania are also included, with similar totals and slippery conditions likely for the Thursday morning commute.
Snow may fall heavily at times overnight Wednesday, with wet pavement freezing and creating hazardous travel. While the initial system moves out Thursday afternoon, lake effect snow is expected to develop, bringing additional accumulations Thursday night into Friday morning, especially north of the Finger Lakes.
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions. Difficult travel is expected during both the Thursday morning and evening commutes, with hazardous conditions persisting until snow tapers early Friday.
