New York Governor Kathy Hochul has advised residents to prepare for a Nor’easter forecasted to bring significant snowfall across much of the state starting early Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Watches and Warnings for areas including the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Mid-Hudson, and Capital Regions, where snow accumulations could exceed seven inches. Other regions such as Western New York, Central New York, Finger Lakes, and parts of Mid-Hudson are under Winter Weather Advisories with expected snowfall below six inches.
The storm is likely to cause hazardous driving conditions during both morning and evening commutes on Tuesday. Governor Hochul urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and to allow extra time if travel is unavoidable. She stated: “While New Yorkers are no strangers to snow, and preparedness is key to staying safe on the roads and at home. Ahead of this snowfall, I’m encouraging New Yorkers to make a plan – stock your car with safety essentials and leave extra time when traveling. State agencies stand ready to assist New Yorkers throughout the storm and our plow crews will be out keeping our roadways safe, but we encourage everyone to be weather aware and closely monitor the forecast.”
Snowfall totals are projected between four and eight inches in many areas, with up to one foot possible in higher elevations of the Catskills. Temperatures are expected near freezing.
State regulations require a Code Blue whenever temperatures or wind chills drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This mandates local social services districts provide shelter access for homeless individuals and extend shelter hours.
The Department of Health offers cold weather safety tips online covering topics such as frostbite prevention, hypothermia awareness, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, proper generator use, and winter driving safety.
The New York State Department of Labor recommends employers limit outdoor work during extreme cold conditions by providing frequent breaks in warm areas, ensuring hydration with warm non-caffeinated beverages, scheduling work during warmer periods of the day, and supplying appropriate personal protective equipment including layered clothing.
State agencies have mobilized resources in anticipation of the storm:
– The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is coordinating with local authorities and has emergency supplies ready for deployment.
– The Department of Transportation has over 3,500 operators available statewide along with necessary response equipment such as large plow trucks and loaders.
– Additional personnel will be deployed across impacted regions including Mid-Hudson, Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, Western New York, and Long Island.
– Towing services will be active on key highways like I-84 (Orange County/Putnam County) and I-684 (Putnam County).
– For real-time travel information visit www.511NY.org or m.511ny.org.
The Thruway Authority also stands ready with 685 staff members statewide plus equipment including plow trucks loaded with over 131 thousand tons of salt. Motorists are reminded that snowplows operate at slower speeds—typically around 35 mph—to keep salt effective on roadways; drivers should stay well behind plows for safety.
New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers prepared for assessment and restoration tasks if needed due to storm impacts.
State Police will coordinate emergency responses as required alongside other agencies while DEC staff remain alert for environmental hazards such as flooding from improper snow disposal or debris accumulation.
Outdoor enthusiasts planning trips into mountainous backcountry areas like the Adirondacks or Catskills are encouraged to check trail conditions beforehand via dedicated online resources provided by state agencies.
Park officials advise visitors to consult parks.ny.gov or their mobile app for updates about park accessibility during winter weather events.
Residents should enable government emergency alerts on their phones; signing up for real-time notifications can be done by texting their county or borough name to 333111.
Motorists are reminded that transportation accidents remain a leading cause of injuries during winter storms; vehicles should be equipped with survival gear before travel. Drivers should never attempt passing operating snowplows due to reduced visibility risks from blowing snow.
