Dozens of school districts and other organizations across Central New York have called in cancellations or early dismissals due to heavy snow - or anticipated poor weather - in the region.
The National Weather Service has issued lake effect snow warnings south of Buffalo and east of Lake Ontario, saying winds and drifting snow will make driving difficult.
State Police are reporting that Interstate 81 in Oswego County is closed between exits 34 (Mexico) and 36 (Pulaski) because of a multiple vehicle accident. This is due to intense lake effect snow in the area. Troopers say traffic is being rerouted, and they are not sure when the highway will reopen.
Also, the State DOT tells CNY Central that Interstate 690 eastbound at exit 15 (Midler Avenue) was reduced to one lane due to an accident, which happened at 2:15 p.m. Traffic was delayed for about a half hour, but the scene has since been cleared and the lane reopened.
Utica Police say the City of Utica has declared a snow emergency for the city from 10:00 p.m. Friday until 7:00 a.m. Saturday. Police say all cars must be off the city streets to allow for the plows to clean the street. Cars not off the street are subject to being towed.
Here's where you can check traffic cameras for a look at road conditions.
Meteorologist Peter Hall says more snow is coming: Last night and early this morning some general light snowfall gave many areas 1-3" of snow in the immediate Central New York area with as much as 3-5" in the steadiest snow across parts of the hills around the Route 20 corridor. Otherwise, this snowfall is over. Clouds with some sunshine early this morning, alongside light winds will change markedly through the course of the day. An arctic cold front will move through the area late this morning or midday with some brief snow squalls. After the front goes through the winds will strengthen to 20-30 MPH with gusts past 40 MPH. Heavy lake effect snow bands will follow the front across Oswego and northern Oneida county this afternoon and eventually push into Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Northern Onondaga towards dinnertime. Inside these heavier squalls late this afternoon and evening, snow will likely fall at the rate of 1-2" per hour, or possibly higher. With strong winds this evening, localized whiteouts plus blowing and drifting snow appears likely late.
In eastern New York, the state Thruway Authority has lifted an earlier ban on tandem trucks for the highway between Schenectady and New York City and east to Massachusetts.
Click here for Peter's complete forecast.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
