Photo: Philippe Gerber / Moment / Getty Images
A state of emergency remains in effect for Oswego, as the city continues to battle relentless lake effect snowfall that has dumped more than two feet of precipitation since Sunday.
City officials declared the emergency on Thursday morning, closing city offices and requesting assistance from both Oswego County and New York State to help with snow removal operations. The declaration took effect at 9 a.m. Thursday and will remain in place until officially rescinded.
"The snow may strain emergency resources," city officials warned as they urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and keep vehicles off streets to allow snowplows to work efficiently.
The heavy snowfall has created hazardous conditions throughout the region, with western parts of Oswego County experiencing snowfall rates of up to three inches per hour near the Lake Ontario shoreline. Weather forecasters predict an additional one to two feet of snow through Thursday evening for areas across Oswego County, with the heaviest accumulations expected near the lakeshore.
The narrow bands of snow are creating rapidly changing road conditions and visibility challenges for travelers. Northern Cayuga County could see an additional 6 to 12 inches in the most persistent snow bands.
The ongoing winter weather has also disrupted education in the area. Schools in Oswego are closed, and SUNY Oswego has implemented remote learning for the fourth consecutive day of the spring semester.
The lake effect snow warning for Oswego County remains in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday, with forecasters expecting the snow to weaken through the afternoon. Additionally, most of New York State, including Oswego County, is under a cold weather advisory until 10 a.m. on January 30.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about changing weather conditions and follow official guidance until the emergency declaration is lifted.