Governor Kathy Hochul issued a State of Emergency Thursday morning ahead of a winter storm forecast to impact portions of upstate New York with intense lake effect snow through Sunday. The most significant snowfall is expected Thursday and Friday with accumulations of up to three feet of snow possible in the Buffalo area and up to two feet of snow possible in the Watertown area, with snowfall rates of three inches per hour. Hazardous travel conditions and local power outages as a result of the storm are likely due to the combination of snow, ice and wind in the forecast. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to stay alert and avoid unnecessary travel in the Buffalo and Watertown areas Thursday evening through Friday.
“Parts of Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York and the North Country are about to get their first snowstorm of the season, which means we need everyone in these impacted regions to be ready for dangerous travel conditions,” Governor Hochul said. “My team and I are deploying emergency response assets ahead of the storm, remain in constant contact with local officials, and are laser focused on the forecast. New Yorkers should remain vigilant ahead of the storm and avoid any unnecessary travel during these hazardous conditions.”
Lake Effect Snow Warning and Winter Storm Watches are in effect as of Wednesday morning and continuing through Sunday evening for several counties in the Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York and North Country regions. As of Wednesday, the National Weather Service forecast anticipates several feet of snow over the duration of this storm.
For a complete listing of weather watches and warnings in your area, visit your area’s National Weather Service website.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Despite the unseasonably warm weather of late, winter is here across upstate New York. Do not underestimate this storm. We expect snow to be intense at times creating dangerous conditions, and significant accumulation to occur over the event. Now is the time to get prepared and have a plan. New Yorkers in the affected area who must travel later this week, should take it slow and build in extra time for your commute. And we should all check on our neighbors, particularly vulnerable neighbors, to help them prepare for winter weather in the forecast.”
Starting at 4pm tomorrow, @NYSThruway will be closed to commercial traffic from exit 46 (I-390) in Rochester to the Pennsylvania border.
For Thruway updates, follow @ThruwayTraffic or visit https://t.co/FOUaquZqFQ.
For statewide traffic updates, visit https://t.co/cPli96kVx1.— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) November 16, 2022
