NORWICH – A storm is expected to leave significant accumulations of ice throughout the area over the course of the day. The good news: It will get better as the day goes on, according to Norwich Emergency Management Officer A. Wesley Jones.

The National Weather Service in Binghamton said up to half an inch of ice is expected to accumulate Friday. Freezing rain, mixed with sleet began falling early this morning and is expected to continue until mid-afternoon. “It’s temperature dependent,” Jones said of the half-inch figure. “Some areas will see more of a mix of freezing rain, sleet and rain, other areas will could get up to half an inch of ice.”

The National Weather Service has issued an ice storm warning for Chenango and many of the surrounding counties, which will be in effect until 5 p.m. By mid-afternoon the precipitation is expected to change to rain as the temperatures rise above freezing. The change will cause an improvement to the current conditions.