Syracuse, N.Y. -- Wind gusts of 50 mph or more could blow across Upstate New York on Wednesday, leading to scattered power outages and sending Christmas decorations into the neighbor’s yard.
Along with the high winds, a strong storm system will bring rain and heavy lake effect snow east of lakes Erie and Ontario. The force of the wind on the water could also cause flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline in Oswego and Jefferson counties.
The National Weather Service has issued a broad hazardous weather outlook for most of Upstate New York for Wednesday and Thursday.
A lake effect snow warning is in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Thursday for Oswego, Jefferson and Lewis counties. Up to 14 inches of snow could fall in narrow lake effect snow bands, and the high winds could reduce visibility to almost zero.
Central New York is forecast to take the brunt of the winds, with gusts hitting 50 mph or more on during the day Wednesday. Gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected to persist all day Thursday. The weather service has issued a wind advisory for all of Central New York.
“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” the advisory said. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
Central New York is likely to get a half-inch of rain or more on Wednesday, but little snow. That’s because the moisture from the storm wraps up Wednesday evening, but temperatures don’t fall below freezing until Thursday morning. The arrival of cold temperatures right after that heavy rain could make for icy sidewalks and streets Thursday morning.