Photo: National Weather Service, Binghamton, NY
CORTLAND, N.Y. — If current weather forecasts are accurate, Friday will likely be the snowiest day of the year for Cortland County and much of central New York.
A winter storm watch that was scheduled to go into effect for the Cortland area late Thursday night has been upgraded to a winter storm warning, which will remain in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday.
Forecasters are predicting widely varying total snow accumulations. The National Weather Service is calling it a "very complex, potentially high impact" winter storm.
The Cortland area is predicted to be one of the hardest-hit areas, with snowfall estimates ranging between 12 to 18 inches by early Saturday morning.
All classes at SUNY Cortland are cancelled for Friday. As of 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon, all school districts in Cortland County are slated to remain open Friday morning, though that will likely change as the storm draws nearer.
Rain showers this evening will change to heavy wet snow towards midnight for higher elevations and before dawn for lower elevations. The heaviest snow will be seen on Friday and slowly diminish by Friday evening.
Plan on difficult travel conditions, especially for the morning commute on Friday. Wind gusts could reach 40 to 50 mph Friday afternoon and evening, causing blowing and drifting snow.
For the latest road conditions, call 511.
