If you woke up this morning in Oneonta, you probably didn’t need a weather app to tell you things were looking a bit messy outside. The sky is a flat, heavy gray, and that biting chill in the air isn't just your imagination. Honestly, it’s just classic January in upstate New York.
Right now, the weather forecast Oneonta NY is showing light snow with a current temperature sitting at 24°F. But here is the thing: it actually feels like 18°F because of a 5 mph wind coming in from the south. If you’re heading out to Main Street or commuting toward SUNY Oneonta, you’ve definitely noticed that the humidity is pinned at 85%, making that cold feel a lot stickier and more bone-chilling than a dry frost.
What’s Actually Happening Today?
Forget the "light snow" for a second. The big story for today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, is the heavy snow storm expected to move through during the daytime hours. We are looking at a 75% chance of precipitation. That is basically a guarantee that your shovel is going to get some work today.
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The high for the day is going to hit 32°F, right at that freezing mark where the snow gets heavy and wet—the kind that’s perfect for snowmen but absolutely miserable for your lower back. The wind is also picking up, hitting about 10 mph from the south.
The Nighttime Shift
Once the sun goes down (or whatever version of "down" it does behind these thick clouds), things settle slightly. The heavy stuff should taper off into a cloudy night with a low of 23°F. There’s still a 35% chance of lingering snow, but the worst of the storm should be behind us by then.
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The Local Reality: Why Oneonta Weather is Different
People often lump Oneonta in with "the Catskills" or "Southern Tier," but being the "City of the Hills" creates its own weird microclimate. You can have a light dusting in the valley near the Susquehanna River while the folks up on Hartwick Hill are getting absolutely buried.
Historically, January is the coldest and cloudiest month for us. We typically see high temperatures averaging around 29°F, so today's 32°F is actually a tiny bit "warmer" than the usual deep freeze. But don't let that fool you. The cloud cover in January is persistent—usually about 71% of the time, the sky is just a total whiteout of clouds.
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- Average High (Jan): 29°F
- Average Low (Jan): 17°F
- Today's High: 32°F
- Today's Low: 23°F
Preparing for the Icy Roads
The National Weather Service has been keeping a close eye on this region lately. Earlier this week, there were advisories about rain transitioning into snow, which is the absolute worst-case scenario for I-88. When wet surfaces hit these sub-freezing temperatures, you get that invisible layer of black ice.
If you're driving today, honestly, just take it slow. The stretch of highway between Oneonta and Binghamton is notorious for sudden visibility drops during these heavy snow storms.
Actionable Steps for Today
- Clear the slush early: Since the high is 32°F, the snow will be wet. If you wait until tonight when it drops to 23°F, that slush will turn into solid blocks of ice on your driveway.
- Check your visibility: With a 75% chance of heavy snow, make sure your wiper fluid is the winter-grade stuff that won't freeze on contact with your windshield.
- Layers are key: Since it "feels like" 18°F but the actual air is 24°F, you'll sweat if you're shoveling. Wear moisture-wicking layers so you don't get the chills once you stop moving.
The weather forecast Oneonta NY suggests this heavy snow storm is the main event for the weekend. Keep an eye on the sky, stay off the roads if the visibility tanks, and maybe keep a bag of salt by the door.