Weather

A major winter storm is affecting New York as dangerously cold air and periods of heavy snow create hazardous travel conditions across Central New York and the Lake Ontario region.

The National Weather Service office in Buffalo has issued Winter Storm Warnings for parts of Central New York and noted that lake-effect snow could continue after the main storm moves through, keeping roads slick and visibility poor at times.

Travel restrictions and state response

Altmar-Parish-Williamstown (APW): CLOSED (weather-related closure notice)

Mexico Academy & Central (MACS): CLOSED (snow day)

Pulaski Academy & Central: CLOSED (snow day)

South Jefferson Central: CLOSED (snow day)

Oswego City School District: 2-hour delay (due to current weather conditions)

Central New York is entering a prolonged stretch of very cold weather, with temperatures remaining well below seasonal averages through the coming week. Overnight lows will frequently dip into the single digits and teens, with daytime highs struggling to climb out of the teens and 20s in many areas. Wind chills will make it feel even colder at times, especially during the overnight and early morning hours.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Severe thunderstorms tore through Central New York late Saturday, knocking out power to more than 50,000 National Grid customers at the storm’s peak. A statewide bulletin issued Sunday by New York State Emergency Management noted that these storms—driven by strong wind gusts—have caused over 5,000 utility outages across the Central New York and Southern Tier regions. By Sunday morning, restoration crews had reduced the total outages substantially, though scattered pockets of service interruption remain in northern Oswego County and parts of the Syracuse metro area.

Temperatures will hold in the mid-70s this evening with scattered showers into the early overnight hours. Skies remain mostly cloudy through the late afternoon, but a slight chance of rain develops by 3 p.m. This precipitation threat increases to a slight chance of thunderstorms and rain by 5 p.m., with gusty winds up to 20 mph from the southwest. By evening, skies become overcast, and the chance of thunderstorms and rain increases to likely by 8 p.m. Rainfall amounts are expected to be moderate to heavy at times.

**Syracuse Area Weather Forecast: Saturday through Monday** A wet and stormy pattern will dominate the Syracuse area over the next 72 hours, with heavy rain showers and thunderstorms expected at times. **Saturday** Skies remain mostly cloudy today, with a high temperature of 78°F (26°C) by mid-afternoon. A slight chance of rain is expected throughout the day, increasing to a chance in the afternoon and evening hours. Winds will be moderate, out of the southwest at 10 mph (16 km/h).

Temperatures will hold in the mid-70s this evening with scattered showers into the early overnight hours.

Skies remain partly cloudy tonight, with temperatures dropping to around 75 by 10 pm. A slight chance of thunderstorms and rain persists throughout the evening, with wind speeds increasing to 6 mph out of the west. By midnight, skies may clear slightly, but dew points will remain steady at 65 degrees.

**Syracuse and Surrounding Area: Extended Forecast**

A slow-moving low-pressure system will bring unsettled weather to the region through the next 72 hours, with a mix of rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected.

**Today (Thursday)**

Temperatures will hold in the mid-70s this evening with scattered thunderstorms into the early overnight hours. Skies remain mostly cloudy throughout the evening, with a slight chance of thunderstorms developing around sunset. Temperatures drop slightly after 7 pm, dipping to around 64 degrees by midnight. Winds are light, blowing at about one mile per hour from the west-southwest direction. Overnight, skies gradually clear, allowing for partly cloudy conditions by early morning.

The National Weather Service Office in Binghamton has issued a special weather statement. A strong cold front is expected to hit the region from late afternoon into the evening hours, bringing heavy rain that will quickly turn into heavy snow as temperatures drop below freezing. The snow squalls and high winds are expected to create dangerous travel conditions, with near-zero visibility and a potential flash freeze on road surfaces. The heavy snow squall is expected to reach the Finger Lakes, central southern tier of NY, and the Syracuse, Utica, and Rome areas between 5 and 7 pm.