By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
ALBANY — Forecasters are predicting less snow and more ice than was originally anticipated for this week’s winter storm.
After on and off rain most of the day Thursday, precipitation is expected to transition to sleet and freezing rain as temperatures drop late Thursday, turning to snow Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service Albany.
Snowfall is expected to be wet and heavy. Travel could be difficult due to snow- and sleet-covered roads and poor visibility.
The storm could impact the Friday morning commute.
Areas south of the Capital Region can expect mixed precipitation including freezing rain and sleet.
Southern Albany County could see 3-4 inches of snowfall before the storm is over, with Greene County likely getting about 1-2 inches.
Snowfall amounts are dependent on how much precipitation takes the form of sleet.
“The snow will be a heavy wet snow, especially where sleet occurs, which is expected across the Schoharie Valley, greater Capital District and southern Vermont, and for areas to the south and east,” according to National Weather Service Albany.
Ice amounts could reach one-tenth to three-tenths of an inch in the Capital Region.
Rain will transition to sleet and freezing rain Thursday night in Albany County and could turn to snow Friday morning shortly before daybreak. Snowfall is expected to continue through the morning commute and taper off in the afternoon.
In Greene County, rain will turn to sleet and freezing rain Thursday evening and will transition to snow around daybreak Friday. Precipitation is expected to end late in the day Friday.
