Syracuse, NY – First, torrential rains arrived on Christmas Eve. Now, a confusing mix of ice and rain is heading upstate New York just in time for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
“Another great storm system coming on vacation,” noted the National Weather Service in Binghamton.
This storm will not carry nearly as much water as the Christmas storm, so there will not be the same widespread threat of flooding. The New Year’s storm can still be treacherous for anyone on the roads during the holiday season.
The weather service issued a dangerous weather forecast for central and eastern New York. A confusing mix of freezing rain and hail can spread through the area on Thursday night and continue on Friday before it turns to rain on Friday afternoon.
“Icy roads will be possible,” said the panorama, “especially on New Year’s morning.”
Forecasts of freezing rain and hail several days in advance are complicated because even a difference of a few degrees in temperatures can mean the difference between wet roads and icy roads.
Meteorologists are confident that there will be some kind of rain on Thursday and Friday, frozen or not. Unlike the Christmas storm, they are not so concerned with floods this time. Last week, several inches of water were accumulating in the deep snow layer in the southern layer, and temperatures in the 50s and heavy rains can cause flooding. Some rivers have jumped from its banks, but most have escaped widespread flooding.
“Unlike last week, the layer of deep snow that has spread has practically disappeared,” said the meteorological service. “Rain and snow melting this time can lead to localized problems, but it does not seem likely that there will be flash floods and river floods.”
Saturday will be warmer, with highs above 40 in much of the interior of the state. Sunday will be cooler, with highs in the mid-30s and the possibility of snow showers.
A confusing mix of rain and ice could cover upstate New York on New Year’s Day.