Latest storm forecasts show Syracuse might get its first snow of the season

Syracuse, N.Y. — It looks like Syracuse might get its first snow of the season tonight after all.

Earlier today it appeared that Syracuse would get just rain from the multiday storm that started Wednesday night. Updated forecasts, however, are now pointing to 1 to 3 inches of wet snow falling in Syracuse tonight and Friday as the storm inches farther north than initially expected.

If that happens, it will be the first real snowfall of the year for Syracuse. The city typically sees its first snow of at least 1 inch by Nov. 16, National Weather Service records show.

The most likely time for snow would be late tonight, between 9 p.m. and midnight, the weather service said.

Any snow in and around Syracuse would be very wet and unlikely to stick for long. Roads and grass are already wet from overnight rain, and temperatures will dip only as low as the mid 30s.

All of Onondaga County will be under a winter weather advisory from 4 p.m. today to 4 p.m. Friday. An advisory means that weather conditions could cause difficult travel.

Much more snow — 6 inches or more — could fall in the hills of southern Onondaga and Madison counties. A wide gap in snowfall over relatively short distances isn’t unusual in spring and fall, when temperatures can be warm enough for rain in valleys but cold enough on hilltops to produce snow.

Winter storm warnings are in effect for Madison and Cortland counties until 4 p .m. Friday. A warning means that bad weather is imminent and could cause travel problems or power outages.

The heaviest snow could fall at elevations of 1,500 feet or higher, the weather service said. That’s the height of the hills at the south ends of Otisco and Skaneateles lakes, or Meeker Hill in the town of Tully.

Syracuse sits at about 400 feet above sea level.