Heavy Snow — Southern Oneida, New York

2003-02-17 to 2003-02-18 · Southern Oneida, New York

Wider weather episode

A coastal storm moved slowly up the east coast on the 16th and early on the 17th. Late on the 17th the storm picked up speed to be well off the northeast coast. Snow spread into the southern Catskills of New York during the evening of the 16th. The snow moved into the southern tier by 3 AM then to the New York Thruway in Syracuse and Utica around 7 AM. The snow was heavy at times on the 17th. The snow ended around midnight of the 17th. Snowfall rates were several inches an hour. Snowfall amounts were a widespread 10 to 20 inches from the Elmira Corning area east into the western Catskills. Further north snow amounts were mostly 6 to 12 inches. Northern Oneida County had only 3 to 6 inches of snow. The highest amounts of 20 to 30 inches were in the higher elevations of the western Catskills. Accidents were fewer due to the Presidents Day holiday and due to the early start of the snow. In Oneida County, the weight of the accumulated snow and rain caused numerous roof collapses, including a barn, fire station, and mobile home.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5344221. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.