Upstate New York Schools Close as Blizzard Conditions Pummel Region

A blizzard warning prompted some upstate New York schools to close as gusty winds and blowing snow pummeled the area on Thursday, February 27.

The National Weather Service (NWS) of Buffalo forecast three to four feet of snow to collect across the Tug Hill Plateau in upstate New York, with one to two feet projected in areas of lower elevation. Winds up to 60 mph were forecast to cause “extensive” blowing and drifting snow in the area.

State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego canceled all classes from noon onward at both the Oswego and Syracuse campuses on Thursday due to the winter weather. More than a dozen other schools were closed on Thursday for a snow day, local media reported.

This video, filmed by Tommy Cerra, documents the increasing lake effect snow and gusting winds in Oswego. Cerra, who studies meteorology at SUNY Oswego, said there were “insane” rates of snowfall and estimated visibility was “only a few feet at times.”

“The hazardous conditions will impact the morning and evening commutes Thursday and Friday. Strong winds could cause some tree damage and scattered power outages,” NWS forecasters said. Credit: Tommy Cerra via Storyful