Driving through Central New York in January is basically a roll of the dice. One minute you’re cruising along the Thruway with clear skies, and the next, you’re in a whiteout near Syracuse that makes you wonder why you left the house. Honestly, people often treat central new york travel advisories like those "terms and conditions" pop-ups on a phone—they just click "agree" and keep going. But in 2026, between the massive I-81 viaduct project and the unpredictable lake effect snow, that’s a risky way to live.
If you’re planning to hit the road this week, specifically around January 17, 2026, the situation is a bit of a mixed bag. You’ve got clear stretches, but there are some nasty spots developing.
The Reality of I-81 and the Syracuse Shake-up
The biggest headache right now isn't actually the weather; it's the construction. The I-81 Viaduct Project has turned downtown Syracuse into a bit of a maze. If you haven't been through lately, you might be surprised to find that the Exit 29S off-ramp from I-81 Southbound in Cicero is permanently closed. They’ve rerouted that traffic to a new pattern using the left two lanes just north of the South Bay Road bridge.
It’s easy to miss if you’re relying on an old GPS.
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Then there’s DeWitt. We’re seeing lane reductions on I-690 Westbound between I-481 and Exit 17. The DOT has been pretty strict about these closures, usually running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid the absolute worst of the rush hour, but it still backs up. You basically have to slow down. Fines are doubled in these work zones, and the State Troopers have been out in force lately. Two speeding tickets in a work zone and you can kiss your license goodbye for a while.
Current Road Conditions and Winter Warnings
As of this Saturday morning, the NYS Thruway (I-90) is showing some teeth. While the stretch from Utica to Syracuse is currently reported as "Clear and Dry" with just some wet spots, things get dicey once you head west toward Rochester and Buffalo.
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- Syracuse to Weedsport: Mostly clear, but watch for those "wet spots" that turn into black ice as the sun goes down.
- West Henrietta to Batavia: This is where the actual central new york travel advisories start to matter today. We’re seeing "Snow and Ice" status between Exits 45 and 48A.
- Lake Ontario Region: The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the eastern Lake Ontario region through early Sunday. They’re calling for another 3 to 6 inches, especially in the higher terrain.
If you're heading toward the Tug Hill plateau, just assume it's snowing. Even if it's sunny in Onondaga County, the lake effect machine doesn't care about your plans.
What’s Coming Next Week?
Don't get too comfortable with the "Clear and Dry" reports. Forecasters are tracking a significant lake effect snow event starting Sunday night, January 18. This isn't just a dusting. We’re looking at a blast of Arctic air that’s going to hang around through Wednesday.
Initially, the snow is going to dump on Buffalo and Rochester, but by Monday night and Tuesday, those bands are expected to shift south toward Watertown and the Syracuse suburbs. If you’re planning a trip toward the Finger Lakes or North Country for the middle of the week, you might want to move your meetings to Zoom.
Common Misconceptions About Travel Alerts
A lot of drivers think a "Travel Advisory" is the same thing as a "Travel Ban." It’s not. In places like Wyoming County or the rural stretches outside of Utica, an advisory is a polite way of the Sheriff saying, "Hey, stay home if you can." You won't get ticketed just for being on the road during an advisory.
A Travel Ban, however, is a different beast. That’s when the roads are officially closed to everyone except emergency vehicles. If you’re caught out during a ban, you’re looking at a fine and a very annoyed police officer.
Also, keep an eye on the airports. While Syracuse Hancock (SYR) usually handles snow like a pro, JFK and Newark are currently under heavy construction advisories. If you're connecting through the city, Newark’s AirTrain is undergoing guideway construction, and shuttle locations have shifted to the P3 station. It’s a mess.
How to Stay Ahead of the Mess
Don't just look at the weather app on your phone. It gives you the "vibe" of the weather, not the reality of the pavement.
- Check 511NY: This is the gold standard. They have the most up-to-date camera feeds. If you see a wall of white on the Camillus camera, don't drive toward Camillus.
- The Thruway Text Alerts: You can sign up for region-specific emails or texts. It’s better to get a ping at 6 a.m. telling you the road is closed than to find out when you’re sitting in a five-mile backup near Herkimer.
- Watch the Wind: In Central New York, the wind is often more dangerous than the snow. A Gale Watch is currently in effect for Lake Ontario through Wednesday. High winds on the bridges—especially the Tappan Zee if you're heading south or the various spans over the canal—can flip a high-profile vehicle or cause "ground blizzards" where the snow is just blowing off the fields.
Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
- Download the 511NY app immediately and set alerts for I-81 and I-90.
- Check your tires. If you’re still running all-seasons with 4/32" tread, you’re going to have a bad time on the hills around Tully or Lafayette.
- Pack a "ditch kit." Seriously. A blanket, a portable charger, and some snacks. Every winter, someone spends six hours trapped on the Thruway because a jackknifed tractor-trailer blocked both lanes.
- Monitor the I-81 Viaduct updates. The traffic patterns in Syracuse are changing almost weekly now as they tear down the old bridge sections. Even if you "know the way," follow the signs.