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The significant winter storm set to impact Central New York this weekend is now expected to dump between 12 and 18 inches of snow across the region. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning that will take effect at 1 a.m. Sunday and remain in place until 7 p.m. Monday.
The warning covers numerous counties including Oneida, Yates, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Madison, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Tioga, Broome, Delaware, and Sullivan counties, according to Syracuse.com.
"Snow could fall at very heavy rates Sunday through Sunday night, with accumulation exceeding 2 inches per hour at times," the National Weather Service in Binghamton warned when issuing the alert Friday afternoon.
Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm. "Winter in New York is nothing we can't handle, but it is important to take the risks that come with extreme cold seriously," Governor Hochul said in a statement. "New Yorkers should avoid travel during the snow, especially with the danger that comes with being stranded in these cold temperatures."
Local meteorologist Drew Montreuil from Finger Lakes Weather confirms the forecast remains on track. "My forecast remains for 12-18 inches across the majority region, with a few pockets of higher and a few pockets of lower amounts," Montreuil noted in his latest update.
The combination of heavy snow and bitter cold temperatures will make this storm particularly challenging. Road salt becomes less effective in extreme cold, which could lead to treacherous travel conditions throughout Sunday and Monday.
"With the cold temperatures, as soon as it starts to snow, it will start to coat the roads. Travel will become increasingly slick through the morning," Montreuil warned. "The heaviest snow is expected during the afternoon and evening hours."
The storm is part of a massive weather system affecting hundreds of millions of people from New Mexico to the Carolinas to Maine. After the main storm passes, lake effect snow is expected to develop southeast of Lake Ontario Monday afternoon and night, potentially adding another 6-10 inches to areas including Syracuse through Tuesday morning.
State agencies have been preparing for days, with the Department of Transportation ready to deploy thousands of operators and equipment for snow and ice response. Officials strongly advise residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.