EXTREME COLD WARNING Issued for the entire area. Winter Storm Watches, Warnings, and a Lake Effect Snow Warning Issued. DANGEROUS Weather Forecast!

FOR LEWIS AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, N. ONEIDA AND N. HERKIMER COUNTIES......EXTREME COLD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM FRIDAY TO 1 PM EST SATURDAY NORTH COUNTRY... * WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 to 40 below zero expected North Country, especially across the higher terrain of the Tug Hill region. * WHERE...Jefferson and Lewis Counties. * WHEN...From 7 PM Friday to 1 PM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 30 to 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of freezing temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This is a potentially dangerous situation to be outdoors. If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in 15 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 25 below zero or colder. Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.

FOR LEWIS AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES......WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST FRIDAY... ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations 2 to 3 feet in the most persistent bands. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph will produce significant blowing and drifting snow. Widespread heavy snow possible late Saturday night through Monday evening. Significant accumulations possible. * WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region. The greatest accumulations will focus across the Tug Hill Plateau during the lake effect snow today through Friday. * WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 7 PM EST Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from late Saturday night through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover on roads and very poor visibility. Travel within the most intense portion of the band may be nearly impossible at times. The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Widespread light snow this afternoon through this evening, and then another round of significant accumulating lake effect snow is expected Thursday behind the Arctic front and continuing through Friday.

FOR . ONEIDA CO......WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Heavy snow with significant accumulations possible. * WHERE...Northern Oneida County. * WHEN...From late Saturday night through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes. Heavy snow could make travel extremely difficult Sunday through Monday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...At this time, the heaviest snowfall is forecast to be from south-central NY and areas southward into Northeast PA and Catskills. However, further adjustments to the storm track are likely in the coming days. Snowfall could be very heavy at times Sunday through Sunday night with hourly rates exceeding 1 inch per hour.

FOR N, HERKIMER COUNTY......LAKE EFFECT SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST FRIDAY... ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...For the Lake Effect Snow Warning, heavy lake effect snow expected. Localized snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches for areas within lake effect bands to the north of Old Forge and Route 28. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible and total snow accumulation greater than 7 inches possible. * WHERE...Hamilton and Northern Herkimer Counties. * WHEN...For the Lake Effect Snow Warning, until 7 PM EST Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Sunday morning through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult within lake effect due to snow covered roads, reduced visibility, and blowing and drifting snow. Dangerous travel possible Sunday into Monday due to snow covered roadways. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Scattered snow showers transition to a band of heavy lake effect snow this afternoon. The band will remain across northern Herkimer and Hamilton Counties through Friday afternoon before dropping south out of the warning area. In addition, a long duration winter storm is expected Sunday into Monday, which will result in snow covered roadways and reduced visibility. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.