Winter Storm Warnings in effect for parts of Upstate NY for heavy snow

Syracuse, NY – Winter storm warnings have been issued for parts of Upstate New York as a storm brings rain to valleys and potentially heavy snow to hilltops.

The heaviest snow will likely fall on the hills from southern Madison County to the southern tier.

A winter storm warning, the highest alert level, is in effect from 4 p.m. today until 4 p.m. Friday for Broome, Delaware and Sullivan counties in New York and much of northeastern Pennsylvania.

“Travel can be very difficult, especially with snowfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour in places overnight,” National Weather Service said.

Up to a meter of heavy snow may fall in these areas tonight and into Friday. The snow will likely be very wet, which could lead to downed wires and cause power outages.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has banned empty commercial vehicles from I-81 from 17 today.

New York state cities along the I-90 corridor from Buffalo to Albany will likely see only rain because temperatures will remain above freezing, the weather service said. The air will get cold enough tonight and Friday above 1,500 feet for snow to develop.

The rain is expected to continue until Saturday. One to 2 inches could fall across most of the Upstate, with the lower Hudson Valley close to 3 inches.

That would be a welcome relief and would help ease, though likely not end, a severe drought that has plagued the southeastern corner of New York state.