On Monday afternoon and evening, October 28th, 2008, a frontal system stalled across the eastern seaboard, with an area of light rain across eastern New York State. A wave of low pressure began to organize along this front just off the New Jersey coast early Tuesday morning. This low pressure system rapidly intensified into a major early season winter storm as it crawled up the Hudson River Valley Tuesday and Tuesday evening. As a result, a widespread area of heavy precipitation spread across most of central and eastern New York by Tuesday morning.  Northerly winds developed, which drew down colder air and resulted in a changeover to snow late Monday night over the highest elevations, with snow levels dropping to around 1500 feet in upstate New York and to around 1000 feet in the Catskills by late Tuesday morning.
Locations above 1500 feet in the Catskills received 1 to 2 feet of heavy wet snow. Roxbury, NY at 2500 feet received 25.6 inches of snow. Across elevations between 1000 and 1500 feet in the Catskills, snowfall ranged from 2 to 6 inches. In central New York, above 1500 feet, snowfall ranged from 2 to 8 inches, with up to a foot of snow in Oneida and Madison counties.
Very strong northwest winds developed across central New York behind this storm. Winds gusts ranged from 40 to 50 mph in most places. In areas where there was heavy wet snow, major damage was done to trees and power lines leading to widespread power outages.

Winter Storm in MADISON, NEW YORK
From 28-OCT-08 06:00:00 to 29-OCT-08 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations ranged from 7 inches in Cazenovia to 15.5 inches in Morrisville, at an elevation of 1600 feet.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN ONEIDA, NEW YORK
From 28-OCT-08 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-08 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations across the northern part of the county ranged from 3 to 10 inches, with the higher amounts across higher elevations. Point Pock measured 10.0 inches.

Winter Weather in BROOME, NEW YORK
From 28-OCT-08 06:00:00 to 29-OCT-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall amounts across the higher elevations of the county were as high as 6 inches at over 1500 feet in South Vestal. Valley locations received very little accumulation.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN ONEIDA, NEW YORK
From 28-OCT-08 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-08 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations across the southern part of the county ranged from trace amounts to over a foot in higher terrain. Tassel Hill measured 14 inches.

Winter Storm in OTSEGO, NEW YORK
From 28-OCT-08 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-08 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations ranged from near 5 inches to over a foot at the highest elevations. Cherry Valley measured 15.0 inches.

Winter Storm in CHENANGO, NEW YORK
From 28-OCT-08 06:00:00 to 29-OCT-08 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations across the county ranged from less than one inch in the lower elevations, to 6 to 8 inches in the higher terrain. Sherburne reported 8 inches.

Winter Storm in DELAWARE, NEW YORK
From 28-OCT-08 02:00:00 to 29-OCT-08 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall accumulations were widely variable across the county, with most areas receiving from 5 to 10 inches. The highest amount was measured in Roxbury, with 25.6 inches.