Winter Weather in New York, December 11, 2003

A warm front, loaded with moisture, slowly approached eastern New York during the morning hours of December 17. While temperatures aloft were mild enough for all rain, temperatures at the ground level were well below freezing during the morning and early afternoon across the Lake George Saratoga region, which meant freezing rain fell. While ice accumulations were well below warning thresholds, the thin glaze turned many surface, including roadways, into skating rinks. The ice came during the morning commute and resulted in numerous vehicular accidents throughout the Lake George Saratoga region. At one point, the Adirondrack Northway was temporarily closed near Queensbury as were stretches of Route 149 in both Warren and Washington counties. Several other state highways were briefly closed as well. At least thirty vehicles were reported off road in the city of Saratoga Springs in Saratoga County alone. Fortunately, no major injuries were reported to the National Weather Service.