Travel Difficult in Twin Tiers as Near Blizzard Condition Possible in Some Areas
According to the March 12 3:45 a.m. update, the National Weather Service in Binghamton is continuing Winter Storm Warnings until 7 p.m. March 12 for the Twin Tiers in Central New York except for a swath in the Western Southern Tier that includes Chemung, Steuben, Monroe, Livingston and Ontario Counties where lesser snowfall is expected. Those counties remained under a Winter Weather Advisory
For the Greater Binghamton area, additional snowfall accumulations from "Winter Storm Quinlan" were projected at 5 to 9 inches. Broome, Chenango, Cortland Tioga, Tompkins, Susquehanna and Bradford Counties were also expected gusty winds in the afternoon and evening reaching as high as 45 miles per hour.
Just to the east, in Delaware and Otsego counties in New York and Wayne County, in Pennsylvania, the elevation of the Catskills and Poconos has the potential to increase accumulation totals. The National Weather Service said that area was still under a Winter Storm Warning until 7 p.m. but put the possible accumulation at 7 to 12 inches. Winds were also predicted to gust as high as 45 miles per hour through Saturday night.
The areas under the Advisory were anticipating additional snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with the 45 mph wind gusts.
Precipitation, as predicted, was observed as rainfall at around 1:30 a.m. in Johnson City but transitioned to snow a short time later.
The National Weather Service in Binghamton said snowfall rates could be at one to two inches per hour for a time with the steady snow tapering off to snow showers in the afternoon.
Blowing snow could still complicate travel through the night with reduced visibility and snow blowing back onto otherwise cleared roadways. For Delaware and Wayne Counties, NOAA said the wind and blowing snow could create "near blizzard conditions at times."
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation advised that Tier 3 vehicle restrictions were to be placed on Interstate 81 starting at 7 a.m. PennDOT says that means no commercial vehicles without chains on board would be allowed from I80 to the New York border until weather conditions improve. Speed limits on Pa.'s major roads in the storm area are also reduced to 45 miles per hour during severe weather events and traffic could be limited to the right-hand lane.
Get our free mobile appMotorists, however, through the entire region are advised travel could be very difficult and unnecessary trips should be avoided.
Broome County has announced the Broome County Public Library would be closed Mardh 12 due to the heavy snow and high winds forecast.
You can find road conditions and weather restrictions in any state by using 511 online, for example: 511PA for Pennsylvania or 511NY for New York.
