Probabilities of lake impact snow for Thanksgiving journey are growing in Upstate NY

Syracuse, N.Y. — Heavy lake impact snow and robust winds may make for hazardous driving through the Thanksgiving Day journey interval in Upstate New York.

Cold winds from the west are anticipated to blow throughout the Great Lakes Wednesday evening by means of Friday, producing lake impact snow and resulting in low visibility on the roads.

The National Weather Service has already issued winter storm watches for counties on the east ends of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. More than a dozen counties from Western New York to the Mohawk Valley are beneath a lesser hazardous climate outlook alert.

“Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening,“ said the winter storm watch. “Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period.”

Up to 7 inches of snow may fall amid 40 mph winds, the climate service stated.

The impression of the storm seems to be much less for the Finger Lakes and Central New York, however that might change within the subsequent few days. Lake impact snow bands are sometimes slim and it’s tough to foretell even a number of days forward of time the place they may hit.

“Lake effect snow potential continues to increase for Thursday through Friday night or early Saturday southeast of Lake Ontario,” said the weather service office in Binghamton. “Forecast confidence is moderate at this time range in regards to band placement, timing, and exact snowfall amounts.”

Check our climate web page this week for updates because the storm particulars and forecasts change into extra stable.