Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Central New York

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Central New York, including Wayne and Oswego counties, as cold winds and snow continue to impact the region. The advisory, which is in effect until 1 p.m. Wednesday, warns of additional snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches in the most persistent snow bands.

“Winds gusting as high as 35 mph could cause blowing and drifting snow,” the advisory stated. The weather service cautioned that roads could become slippery, and visibility may be sharply reduced, particularly in areas affected by lake effect snow.

Snowfall is expected to be steady but not overwhelming, with an inch or two accumulating every few hours on average. However, heavier snowfall is possible in areas where lake effect snow bands linger. The hills south of Syracuse are likely to receive the most snow.

This round of lake effect snow is not expected to be as intense as the one that hit late last week, which dumped significant amounts of snow in parts of Oneida County. Syracuse received 16.1 inches of snow, with 9 inches falling on Saturday alone, according to measurements at Hancock International Airport, the official climate site for Syracuse.

Winds have shifted slightly to the northwest, which means the snow will primarily affect Onondaga and adjacent counties. However, the shorter distance the winds travel across Lake Ontario means they will pick up less moisture, resulting in lighter snowfall compared to last week’s event.

Residents are advised to exercise caution while traveling and to stay updated on the latest weather conditions. The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.