Syracuse, N.Y. -- The National Weather Service has extended its winter storm watch to Central New York, including Syracuse, for the Thanksgiving Day travel weekend.

More than 7 inches of snow could fall in narrow bands of lake effect snow Thursday afternoon into Saturday morning, the weather service said .

“Winds could gust as high as 40 mph, producing blowing and drifting snow and possible whiteout conditions,” according to the storm watch. “Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period.”

The new watch area includes Onondaga, Oneida and Madison counties.

Storm watches had already been issued for several counties in Western New York and the Tug Hill plateau.

It’s too early to tell exact

See Full Page