Friday, April 04, 2003, 2:03pm
A winter storm blew through the north country Friday morning, dropping enough snow to cancel or delay school in many places.
Elsewhere the weather was even worse, leaving 100,000 customers across upstate New York without power.
The 'average' snowfall Friday morning in the north country appeared to be six to eight inches, though many people reported more on their front lawns and in their driveways.
The snow was concentrated in Jefferson and Lewis counties, with at least half a dozen schools cancelling for the day. Cancellations were as far east as Lowville, west to Sackets Harbor and as far north as the Indian River school district.
More snow and sleet was expected Friday night, with freezing rain part of the forecast for Saturday morning and snow in the afternoon.
Among the cancellations we received Friday was a notice that the 'pro-troops' candlelight vigil set for Saturday night in Carthage is postponed to next Saturday, April 12.
All of the above said, the north country escaped far nastier weather that struck the rest of the state.
Most of the power outages were concentrated in the Rochester area -- where 50,000 customers of Rochester Gas and Electric were without power.
Niagara Mohawk says 35,000 of its customers in Oswego County were without electricity.
A state of emergency was in effect Friday in the City of Oswego, and officials urged no unnecessary travel throughout Oswego County.
In the Finger Lakes region, 15,000 customers of New York State Electric and Gas waited for crews to restore power.
Scattered outages are also reported in the Albany area.
In the Adirondacks, up to a foot of snow has fallen in the Indian Lake and Lake George areas, with more expected.
- Staff & Associated Press Reports
