(National Weather Service map)

SARANAC LAKE — A winter storm warning from the National Weather Service in Burlington, Vermont is in effect from 8 tonight to 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

The area of effect ranges from Champlain, south to Ticonderoga and west to Star Lake, as well as numerous areas of Vermont. Heavy snow is forecast with an accumulation of 8 to 17 inches.

The warning stated that “travel could be very difficult or impossible” and “the weight of heavy snow on tree limbs may cause scattered power outages.”

Snowfall is expected at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour on Saturday. Snow may become wet by Saturday afternoon, especially in the southern portions of the precipitation zone.

The NWS advises that anyone who must travel should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicle in case of emergency and allow extra time for travel.