Snow to Begin Thursday Afternoon with More than One Foot Expected in the North Country, Mohawk Valley and Capital Regions, and Higher Elevations in Those Regions Will See Nearly Two Feet of Snow Through Saturday

Parts of Central New York and Southern Tier Regions to Receive 8 to 12 Inches of Snow Through Saturday; Storm Expected to Have Peak Snowfall Rates of 1 to 2 Inches Per Hour

State Emergency Operations Center Activating Thursday to Coordinate State Agency Response and Facilitate Requests for Assistance from Local Governments

Governor Hochul Urges No Unnecessary Travel Thursday Evening and on Friday for Impacted Regions as Heavy, Wet Snow is Expected to Cause Hazardous Travel Conditions and Power Outages

State Agencies Continue to Monitor Potential for Lake Effect Snowfall off Lakes Erie and Ontario Beginning Friday Night

Governor Kathy Hochul today deployed state emergency response assets to regions expected to receive up to a foot or more of snow between Thursday and Saturday. The storm is forecast to bring up to 12 to 18 inches of snowfall by Saturday in parts of the North Country, Mohawk Valley and Capital Region, with peak snowfall rates of one to two inches per hour Thursday night through Friday. Most of the state will see at least a few inches of snow from this storm, with up to a foot of snow expected in Central New York and the Southern Tier. Parts of the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions began seeing a wintry mix of snow, rain, and ice on Thursday. Travel conditions in impacted regions will be dangerous Thursday afternoon when the heaviest snowfall will start. Power outages in regions with the heaviest snowfall are possible over the next few days. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to stay home Thursday evening and Friday to avoid any unnecessary travel while emergency response assets work to remove snow and ice from the transportation system.

"We know how important it is to stay ahead of storms, and state agencies are prepared to work around the clock this weekend to make sure New Yorkers are safe," Governor Hochul said. "My team will continue to monitor storm conditions across the state to ensure that we use every resource at our disposal, and we urge everyone in the impacted regions to avoid unnecessary travel tonight and tomorrow. Work from home if possible, stay off the roads, and make sure you and your loved ones remain vigilant."

The following assets are prepared to respond for the storm:

    Plow Trucks: 2,084
    Tow Plows: 61
    Loaders: 400
    Snow blowers: 42
    Graders: 19
    Salt: DOT and Thruway salt sheds are fully stocked for the storm
    Personnel deployed: 4,129
    Utility workers: Up to 6,500 available to respond

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "We are well prepared to handle the snow that's already begun falling in parts of the state. Pay close attention to your local forecasts over the next few days if you're considering traveling. Conditions on the roads will be dangerous in certain regions. If you must travel, plan ahead, take your time, and know that commutes will be messy on Thursday night and Friday."

Governor Hochul also urged New Yorkers to prepare for a separate lake effect snow system expected to begin Friday night, which could bring one to two feet of snow to areas off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario over the weekend, with snowfall rates of two inches per hour.

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.

We know how important it is to stay ahead of storms, and state agencies are prepared to work around the clock this weekend to make sure New Yorkers are safe."
Governor Hochul

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 to ensure preparedness. The State's Emergency Operations Center will be 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 currently has 3,450 supervisors and operators statewide prepared to respond to the upcoming weather event.

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 are being deployed. They are distributed as follows:

    Capital Region:

-Receiving two equipment operator instructors Finger Lakes

-Receiving one equipment operator instructor Long Island

-Receiving one equipment operator instructor from DOT's main office

    Mohawk Valley:

-Receiving eight plow operators from Long Island

    Central NY:

-Receiving 25 plow operators and two supervisors from Long Island

    North Country:

-Receiving two equipment operator instructors from Western NY

-Receiving one equipment operator instructor from Capital Region

    Southern Tier

-Receiving 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 will have 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 closely monitoring the forecast for the upcoming winter storm and are ready to respond with 679 operators and supervisors available. Statewide equipment numbers and resources:

    352 large and medium duty plow trucks
    9 tow plows
    61 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.