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Central New York is bracing for a winter storm expected to bring up to nine inches of snow and gusty winds starting this afternoon and lasting through late tomorrow night. The counties of Onondaga, Madison, southern Oneida, and Cortland are likely to be the hardest hit, according to a winter storm watch released by the National Weather Service. Winds in these areas could gust as high as 45 mph.
Meanwhile, Oswego, Jefferson, and Lewis counties are expected to see slightly less snowfall, with more than seven inches possible. The Syracuse area has already experienced its first snowfall of the season earlier this week, with about three inches recorded at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. As the storm approaches, commuters are urged to exercise caution during tonight and tomorrow's commutes due to potentially slippery conditions.