WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Buckle up, people. Christmas weekend could be a wild ride.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Jefferson County from 1 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Sunday.
The NWS says 2 to 4 feet of snow are possible. Plus wind gusts could be as high as 60 miles per hour.
The warning says a rapid switch from rain to snow with sharply falling temperatures into the teens and single digits will result in a flash freeze on Friday afternoon.
Blizzard conditions will develop late Friday afternoon lasting into Sunday morning, according to the NWS.
Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds could cause tree damage and numerous power outages. The bitter wind chills as low as 10 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
There’s a winter storm warning for Lewis County from 1 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday. National Weather Service forecasters say from 2 to 3 feet of snow are possible.
Before that, though, is rain that begins late Thursday afternoon and continues overnight and into tomorrow morning.
Temperatures around 40 degrees Thursday afternoon rise into the mid-40s overnight and into the upper 40s Friday morning.
And there will be wind.
There’s a high wind warning from 7 p.m. Thursday until 1 p.m. on Friday for Jefferson and Lewis counties.
In the southern half of St. Lawrence County, there’s a winter storm warning from 1 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
The NWS says that the area can expect 8 to 16 inches of snow and wind gusts as high as 50 mph.
Power outages are possible as wind and heavy snow could bring tree limbs down onto power lines.
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