Syracuse, N.Y. – Drivers across central and western New York could face sudden road shutdowns and power outages before the evening commute ends as strong storms push through before 9 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 79 covers much of the state until 9 p.m., including Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Broome, and Oneida counties, with wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail nearing 1 inch possible.
Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse sit in the highest-impact zone, where bursts of heavy rain could drop visibility below 1,000 feet on I-90 and I-490. In the Southern Tier, including Binghamton and Elmira, storms may track along I-86 with localized flooding in low-lying areas. Utility crews are on alert as tree damage could trigger scattered outages affecting thousands of customers.
Travel during peak storm timing between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. should be limited. Secure outdoor items, charge devices, and avoid parking under trees or power lines. مدارس and evening events may face cancellations if warnings are issued.
The threat eases after 9 p.m., but additional alerts remain possible if storm clusters redevelop into the overnight hours.
