Photo: Julia Dorian / iStock Editorial / Getty Images
A powerful Nor'Easter is bearing down on the Mid Hudson Valley, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm warning from 1 p.m. Sunday (February 22) through 7 p.m. Monday (February 23). The storm is expected to dump between 8 and 14 inches of snow across Greene, Columbia, Ulster and Dutchess counties, with even higher totals possible over the Catskill high peaks.
The storm will bring more than just heavy snowfall. Wind gusts could reach 45 mph, creating blowing and drifting snow that will drastically reduce visibility. Local forecasters warn that snowfall rates may exceed one inch per hour late Sunday night into Monday morning, making travel very difficult to impossible during both the Monday morning and evening commutes.
The heavy, wet snow combined with gusty winds poses a significant threat to trees and power lines. Authorities are warning residents to prepare for potential power outages as tree branches weighed down by snow could snap and fall.
Governor Kathy Hochul said the state is actively monitoring the storm and deploying resources across the region. "Warmer days are just around the corner, but winter weather isn't gone yet," Hochul said in a statement. "Be sure to travel smart and leave yourself ample time to get to where you're going."
The New York State Thruway Authority has nearly 700 operators and supervisors on standby, along with more than 300 plow trucks and over 100,000 tons of salt ready to deploy. Statewide, the Department of Transportation has thousands of plow operators prepared to respond with more than 1,600 large plow trucks and other snow-fighting equipment.
Utility companies have about 5,500 workers available across New York to assess damage and restore power if outages occur, according to the state Department of Public Service. Officials strongly urged residents to stay clear of downed power lines, treat all wires as live and report outages directly to their utility providers.
This storm follows another winter weather system that hit the Hudson Valley on Friday (February 20), bringing ice and slippery conditions. That earlier storm deposited around an inch of snow before transitioning to rain, with up to a quarter inch of ice accumulating on local roads.
The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said its emergency operations center is maintaining contact with local governments and stands ready to deploy additional resources if needed.
Authorities are urging anyone who must travel during the storm to keep emergency supplies in their vehicles, including blankets, a flashlight, extra clothing, food and water. Drivers should clear all snow and ice from their vehicles, maintain safe distances from other cars and adjust speeds to match road conditions. Officials reminded motorists to stay behind snowplows, as the safest place to be is on the freshly treated roadway.
Residents are encouraged to listen to NewsRadio 1450 1370 98.5 WKIP for the latest weather updates as the storm approaches.