NWS: Winter Storm WATCH for entire listening area Thursday through early Saturday

JEFFERSON & LEWIS COUNTIES: WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible.  Total snow accumulations of greater than 9 inches possible, especially across the Tug Hill Plateau and western Adirondacks. Some rain and sleet may possibly mix in across the lower elevations which would hold down accumulations some in these areas. Winds could gust as high as 30 to 35 mph.

* WHERE...The Eastern Lake Ontario Region.

* WHEN...From Thursday morning through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult at times. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday evening commute, and the morning and evening commutes on Friday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow amounts may vary greatly depending on location and elevation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Begin needed preparations at home or with your vehicle. Travel may become difficult, so plan accordingly.

ONEIDA COUNTY: WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

* WHAT...Heavy snow and mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 7 to 15 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Northern Oneida, Southern Oneida, Otsego, Delaware and Sullivan counties.

* WHEN...From Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. The snow is expected to be wet and heavy, and could potentially bring down tree branches that could lead to scattered power outages.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow and ice amounts will vary greatly depending on location and elevation.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. Winter storm warnings could be issued as the storm gets closer and confidence increases.

OLD FORGE & WESTERN ADIRONDACKS: WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches or more possible.

* WHERE...The southwestern Adirondacks, western Mohawk Valley, Schoharie County, eastern Catskills, the Helderbergs, and the western parts of the Lake George/Saratoga area.

* WHEN...From Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact both the morning and evening commute Friday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow amounts will vary depending on location and elevation, with the greatest snowfall totals expected in the higher elevations. Snowfall rates could exceed one inch per hour.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Image via the National Weather Service.