Winter Storm Expands Across New York With Higher Snow Potential

If you live anywhere from Binghamton to Syracuse to the hill towns north and east of I-81, you might want to top off the windshield washer fluid and make sure your boots are by the door.

A widespread winter system is moving in early Wednesday morning, and depending on where you live, you’re either looking at a messy mix or a full-blown winter storm. The National Weather Service has issued a variety of alerts across the region, and Wednesday is shaping up to be a “plan ahead” kind of day.

Northern Oneida’s Big Snow Setup

Northern Oneida County is bracing for the highest impacts. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 1 p.m. Thursday, and this one is the real deal. Snow totals between 6 and 12 inches are expected, with winds gusting up to 30 mph by Thursday.

The snow starts early Wednesday, may take a quick breather later in the day, and then ramps up again Wednesday night as lake effect snow really gets going. With colder air settling in and winds increasing, blowing and drifting snow could make travel very difficult to impossible at times.

Advisory and Watch for Onondaga, Madison, and Southern Oneida

From Syracuse to Hamilton to Utica, things get a little more complicated. These counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 4 a.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday, followed by a Winter Storm Watch late Wednesday night through Friday morning.

The first half of the storm brings 2 to 5 inches of snow and a light glaze of ice, with the chance for a little rain or freezing rain to mix in. After that, lake effect snow takes over. A significant band is possible from Thursday into Thursday night, which could push some areas over 7 inches of new snow. Gusty winds up to 40 mph could create areas of blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.

Southern Tier and Northeast PA Expecting a Messy Mix

Broome County and much of northeast Pennsylvania fall under a Winter Weather Advisory from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. This part of the region won’t see the huge totals that Oneida County is facing, but travel could still get slippery.

Expect 1 to 3 inches of snow, a light glaze of ice, and the possibility of up to 5 inches in the higher elevations above 1900 feet. Snow arrives between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., sticks around for much of the day, and may mix with rain or freezing rain during the afternoon before switching back to snow showers Wednesday night.

Central NY Hill Towns Also Getting Hit

Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Southern Cayuga, and Sullivan Counties are also under a Winter Weather Advisory from 4 a.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday.

These spots can expect 2 to 5 inches of snow, with the hilltops possibly pushing 7 inches, plus a bit of ice. This region sees the same storyline: steady snow in the morning, a messy mix in the afternoon, then a return to snow showers later in the evening.

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Commuters Should Expect Slow, Slick Travel All Day Wednesday

No matter where you live in this stretch of New York and Pennsylvania, Wednesday morning and evening commutes could be slow and slick. The combination of snow, patchy ice, and the potential for gusty winds later on means extra caution is a must. If you can leave early or work remotely, this might be a good day for it.