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Central New York is preparing for a major winter storm as rain transitions to snow on New Year's Day. The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow warning starting Wednesday (January 1) afternoon, with snow expected to continue through Sunday (January 5). Accumulations could reach up to three feet in areas like Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties, while Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, and Onondaga counties might see more than two feet of snow.
The storm will bring strong winds, with gusts reaching 45 miles per hour, leading to blowing and drifting snow. This could make travel difficult or impossible in some areas. The snow is expected to be most intense near Syracuse and along portions of the Thruway, before shifting northward towards Oswego, Lewis, and Oneida counties.
The cold air descending from Canada will combine with moisture from Lakes Erie and Ontario, creating ideal conditions for lake effect snow. While the snow bands are hard to predict, they are expected to be intense when they hit.
According to Syracuse.com, the storm could disrupt travel over the New Year's holiday. The National Weather Service has placed several counties under a winter storm watch, including Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Wyoming.
As the week progresses, temperatures will dip into the mid-20s, with snow likely to continue at times through Sunday. While the snow is expected to be manageable over the course of several days, it will still pose challenges for residents and travelers in the region.
