Winter Returns to Central New York, Snow Expected This Weekend

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Northern Oneida County, and a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the rest of Central New York as a storm system moves into the region.

While most of Central New York experienced unseasonably warm temperatures just last week, winter is back with bitterly cold temps Friday morning and Saturday, and snow returning to the region this weekend.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service say lake effect snow will impact our area, especially in Northern Oneida County, on Saturday and Sunday. Total accumulations could range from 6" up to 18" in Northern Oneida County. The forecast still has significant uncertainty.

Snow should begin in Oneida County between 12pm and 2pm on Saturday, and wrap up by Sunday evening.

Credit: NWS

According to the National Weather Service:

A widespread moderate snowfall is expected area-wide Saturday and Saturday night.
The snow may mix with and change to freezing rain/freezing drizzle Saturday evening, mainly over the Finger Lakes.
There still is uncertainty as to how much snow falls and where the heaviest snow occurs.
Travel could become difficult across our area.

Credit: NWS

Friday: A slight chance of snow showers before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 15. Wind chill values as low as -15. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 0. Wind chill values as low as -7. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Snow, mainly after 11am. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 27. Wind chill values as low as -1. Light southeast wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around 3 inches.

Saturday Night: Snow before 10pm, then snow showers likely after 10pm. Low around 26. South wind 9 to 14 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Sunday: Snow showers. Areas of blowing snow before 1pm. High near 30. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Sunday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Winter Weather Preparation:

Keep your cell phone charged and make sure you know where your backup power supply is.
Make sure all your flashlights have fresh batteries.
Fill your gas tank. You can use your car to keep warm and recharge devices.
Have some food available that you don’t need to cook.
Download the Big Frog 104 App. You’ll receive local alerts, weather reports and more with push notifications.

Power Outages

Get up to information on power outages throughout Central New York; where it’s out and when it’ll be restored with National Grid’s Power Outage Map.

National Grid also offers text alerts on the latest efforts to restore power.

To receive free text message alerts and updates, text the word STORM to NGRID (64743). E-mail alerts are available to customers who create an online profile on the company’s website. All alert services can be started and stopped at the customer’s request.

You can even report power outages or get the latest information on National Grid’s website.

Power Outage Preparation:

Keep your cell phone charged and make sure you know where your backup power supply is.

Make sure all your flashlights have fresh batteries.

Fill your gas tank. You can use your car to keep warm and recharge devices.