Syracuse, N.Y. -- The forecast picture is getting clearer for the lake effect snowstorm expected to hit Upstate New York just in time for Thanksgiving travel.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for 15 Upstate counties from Wednesday night into Saturday.

A foot or more of snow could fall Thursday and Friday near the eastern shores of Lake Erie, mostly southwest of Buffalo, and on the Tug Hill Plateau. Central New York and the Southern Tier are expected to get less snow, with most of it falling on Friday.

Wind gusts could reach 40 mph Thursday and Friday, blowing around the powdery snow and sharply reducing visibility on the roads. Temperatures will fall into the 20s, with wind chills in the teens.

Wednesday could start out rainy, but a cold front sweeping th

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