Governor Hochul Provides Update on Nor'easter Impacting Parts of Upstate Today and Prolonged Snow Event Along Lakes Erie and Ontario Through Monday

Governor Kathy Hochul today provided an update on the season's first Nor'easter expected to impact parts of upstate New York with a foot or more of heavy, wet snow throughout the day Friday while also urging those in regions bordering Lake Erie and Lake Ontario to prepare for a prolonged lake effect snow event that could produce up to four feet of snow in some locations starting Friday night through Monday. Snow is expected to be heavy at times today across the higher elevations of the North Country and parts of the Mohawk Valley and Capital District regions before ending early Saturday with snow totals up to a foot or more in some locations. Parts of Central NY and the Southern Tier could also see up to a foot of snow in some locations by Saturday. Lake effect snow from Lakes Erie and Ontario is expected to begin tonight and continue into early Monday with total snowfall accumulations of up to two feet forecast in Western NY and up to four feet possible for locations in the Tug Hill Plateau. The heaviest snow is expected from Saturday through Sunday night with snowfall rates off Lake Erie forecast to reach up to two inches per hour while snowfall rates off Lake Ontario could total three inches per hour at times.

"Snow totals so far are low in parts of eastern New York but colder air is expected as the day progresses. Rain will change to snow, making for tough travel later this afternoon and tonight," Governor Hochul said. " New Yorkers should remain alert and monitor the forecast throughout the day today, especially in the North Country and areas along Lakes Erie and Ontario."

Between Thursday and Friday morning, peak snowfall totals were highest in the Mid-Hudson region with some locations receiving up to eight inches of snow. Other snowfalls totals are as follows:

• Finger Lakes and Southern Tier: 4-7"
• Central NY: 3-7"
• Mohawk Valley: 2-6"
• Capital Region: 4-6"
• North Country: 3-7"
• Western NY: 1"

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "We are watching two different weather events right now - one producing rain and snow this morning for most of the state, and the other has the potential to bring several feet of snow in the Tug Hill Plateau and areas along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Pay close attention to your local forecast through the weekend. If you must travel, build out extra travel time to your destination and take all necessary precautions."

Multiple weather warnings and advisories have been issued for most of the state through Saturday. For a complete listing of weather watches and warnings in your area, visit the National Weather Service website and search for your area by city or ZIP code.

State Agency Preparations

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is coordinating State agency response operations and communicating with local governments throughout the weather event. The State's Emergency Operations Center activated Thursday afternoon to monitor storm response and travel conditions. The State Office of Emergency Management is prepared to deploy assets from the State's stockpiles to support local governments with storm-related needs. The State Office of Fire Prevention and Control has equipment and personnel available to assist with mutual aid requests.

Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation is fully engaged and responding to the current weather event with 3,450 operators and supervisors available statewide.

To support snow and ice activities in critical areas, a total of 44 staff, including 33 plow truck operators, two supervisors, and nine equipment operator instructors have been deployed. They are distributed as follows:

• Capital Region:
  • Received two equipment operator instructors Finger Lakes
  • Received one equipment operator instructor Long Island
  • Received one equipment operator instructor from DOT's main office
    
• Mohawk Valley:
  • Received eight plow operators from Long Island
    
• Central NY:
  • Received 25 plow operators and two supervisors from Long Island
    
• North Country:
  • Received two equipment operator instructors from Western NY
  • Received one equipment operator instructor from Capital Region
    
• Southern Tier:
  • Received two equipment operator instructors from Long Island

The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

• 1732 large and medium duty plow trucks
• 339 large loaders
• 52 tow plows
• 39 snow blowers

In addition, DOT has tow services staged on major travel corridors that will be impacted by the storm in the following counties: I-84 (Orange), I-84 (Putnam), I-684 (Putnam), I-81 (Onondaga), I-81 (Broome), I-88 (Broome), I-86 (Broome), NY 17 (Broome), NY 206 (Delaware), NY 28 (Delaware), NY 17 (Sullivan, two locations), I-390 (Steuben), and I-86 (Chemung). Tow services will also be utilized on the Hutchinson River Parkway, Cross County Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway, and the Sprain Brook Parkway.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

Thruway Authority

Thruway Authority personnel are actively engaged in snow and ice response with 679 operators and supervisors available. Statewide equipment numbers and resources:

• 358 large and medium duty plow trucks
• 10 tow plows
• 68 loaders

Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway.

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras, and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.

State Police

The State Police will monitor conditions and assign extra patrols to areas that are significantly impacted by the storm. All four-wheel drive and specialty vehicles are in service, including utility task vehicles and snowmobiles.

Department of Public Service

New York's utilities have approximately 6,500 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, wire guarding, response, repair, and restoration efforts. This includes an additional 515 external workers secured by National Grid, 400 external workers secured by NYSEG and RG&E, 50 external workers from Central Hudson, and 50 external workers secured by Orange & Rockland. DPS staff will track utilities' work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation police officers, forest rangers, emergency management staff, and regional staff are on alert and monitoring the developing situation and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure impacted by severe weather. DEC is coordinating resource deployment with agency partners and all available assets are positioned to assist with any emergency response.

DEC is advising backcountry users to be aware of and prepared for winter conditions. Winter hiking and skiing safety and preparedness are extremely important no matter your physical ability or destination. Properly preparing for winter conditions is essential for a more enjoyable and safer experience. During and immediately following periods of heavy snowfall, avoid open, exposed areas like bare summits and use extreme caution when traveling on or near open slopes. Additional information about keeping safe outdoors is available on the DEC website.

DEC reminds those responsible for the large-scale removal and disposal of snow to follow best management practices to help prevent flooding and reduce the potential for pollutants like salt, sand, oils, trash, and other debris in snow from affecting water quality. Disposal of snow in local creeks and streams can create ice dams which may cause flooding in nearby areas. Public and private snow removal operators should be aware of these safety issues during and after the storm.

Earlier today, Governor Hochul provided safety tips to help New Yorkers prepare for the storm. More safety tips are available on the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services website.