The latest winter storm that worked its way across Central New York on Friday slowed travel two days before Christmas, though some areas were more affected than others.

Like with any major weather event to hit the state, Watertown seemed to bear the brunt of it.

Conditions in the North Country deteriorated over Friday afternoon as winds and snow really picked up. Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties issued travel advisories, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time as people were trying to travel for the holidays.

Plow crews were out trying to clear snow off the roads, but the winds just blew it everywhere, making visibility difficult in some places. Emergency responders also ventured out to assist people who struggled to navigate the roadways.

The storm put officials in a bind. They knew folks were eager to get home to family, and while they were really hoping people would stay home, they asked those who did decide to hit the roads to stay safe, slow down and use extra time.

The area was also bracing for possible power outages. It happened in southern Jefferson County overnight for a brief period and other locations outside the immediate area.

Fire officials said the most common mistakes people make when the power goes out is failing to clean furnace vents, using outdoor grills inside for heat and cooking and incorrectly hooking up generators, or using them too close to the living areas. All can cause dangerous carbon monoxide buildups.

Emergency crews said they were ensuring staff and equipment remained at the levels needed to ensure they have what it takes to keep people safe now and should any power issues arise that are more widespread and longer lasting.

“We’ll be out there working with tow truck drivers, ambulance drivers, fire, everybody," Ben Timerman of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said. "At that point, you kind of take off the title and you do what needs to get done. We’ll be doing stuff police might not normally do and vice versa, but everyone knows you’ve got to get it done and keep everybody safe.”

A mix of lake-effect snow and wind can be very dangerous for vehicles. Gusts, drifts and blinding snowfall can happen at a moment's notice and take drivers by surprise. If you don’t need to travel, don't risk it.

In the Southern Tier, rain wasn't much of an issue, but wind and snow continued to affect conditions throughout Friday. The temperatures dropped steadily across the Southern Tier during the afternoon as wind picked up, along with some blowing snow.

The good news was traffic wasn't affected too much on Front Street in Binghamton. A few roadways were slick, but not as much of an issue as expected.

Patrick Dewing, director of emergency services for Broome County, said there were a handful of accidents, including one that involved a few different vehicles, but not as many as they would have expected, especially in a storm like this.

He encouraged all to stay home if possible, only travel if it's absolutely necessary. If it is necessary, make sure to have a plan.

“If you absolutely must drive, please take precautions," Dewing said. "Make sure you're scheduling a little extra time to get to where you're going, that you're being very cautious on the roadways. You should also do a pre-vehicle check before you leave. Make sure you have enough gasoline. Make sure the tread on your tires is good. Make sure that you have that emergency kit in the back of your vehicle in case you get stranded anywhere.”