(WXXI News & AP) The Winter Weather Advisory in the Rochester area and other parts of the Finger Lakes and Western NY has now been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning. That’s in effect from 4:00 a.m. Wednesday to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday.
The forecast calls for around 6 to 12 inches of snow, but that will be spread over a relatively lengthy period of time which should help crews stay on top of the storm. Still, officials warn that roads will be sloppy and slippery, and drivers need to plan on taking their time.
In the Rochester area, the high temperature is expected to be in the low 30s, and then turn milder over the weekend.
Snow accumulations of 8 to 13 inches of heavy, dense snow is expected in northern areas of the Adirondacks, with 6 to 12 inches expected in the western and southern Adirondacks, Mohawk and Schoharie Valleys, Eastern Catskills, Helderbergs and the Lake George Region. Snow could be heavy at times with accumulations of 1 to 2 inches per hour. The immediate Capital District will see mixed precipitation and transition to rain in the afternoon. Heavy rain and winds in the New York City area could bring minor to moderate coastal flooding and urban flooding in low lying areas.
The New York State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to help mobilize personnel and equipment across the state to help deal with the storm.
At least 2 inches of rain is forecast for southern New England, where flood advisories are in effect in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Some coastal areas are also under wind advisories, with 50 mile-per-hour gusts possible.
Snowfall is expected to be minimal along the Interstate 95 corridor from Philadelphia to Boston, but winter storm watches and warnings have been issued for inland parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and northern New England.
Some higher elevations could get 2 feet of snow through Thursday.
