Snowstorm triggers a state of emergency in parts of New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for nearly a dozen counties in New York on Friday as several feet of snow is expected to fall by Monday evening.

“This is a very serious storm,” Hochul said Friday. “People have become a bit complacent because the fall and winter have been quite mild so far. But I want everyone to take this seriously.”

Predicted snow amounts vary by location – some parts of New York are expected to see between 4 and 5 feet of snow by Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

The state of emergency applies to Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wyoming counties.

Hochul called the predicted forecast “a common lake-effect storm” and said preparation was key.

“We are so used to this type of storm,” Hochul said. “We don’t love it, but it’s part of who we are as New Yorkers, especially in Western New York and the North Country. And we are ready to be prepared for any scenario.”

The National Guard is on standby and nearly 6,000 utility crews are ready to repair any downed power lines if necessary. However, no strong winds are expected as part of the storm. More than 4,000 state Department of Transportation and Thruway employees – including 2,100 snow plows – prepared to clear snow on a very busy travel weekend; one of the busiest of the year.

NY Thruway closed due to heavy lake effect snow

Along with the state of emergency, state officials on Friday closed a 60-mile stretch of the New York State Thruway between Exit 57 and the Pennsylvania state line to all vehicles. Additionally, a ban on all commercial vehicles has been enacted between Exit 46 – on Interstate 390 in Henrietta – and the Pennsylvania state line.

Snow Warnings Due to Lake Effects in New York: How Much Snow to Expect?

The National Weather Service in Buffalo issued lake effect snow warnings for about a dozen counties in western and central New York. The amount of snow expected to fall through Monday varies by location, ranging from 6 to 10 inches in Allegany County to 4 to 5 feet of snow near Watertown and the Tug Hill region east of Lake Ontario.

Chautauqua County has been the hardest-hit area in Western New York so far, weather service forecasters said Saturday morning. More than 2 feet of snow fell there – with Cassadaga and Mayville recording the highest snowfall amounts as of 7 a.m., with 31.6 inches in Cassadaga and 30 inches in Mayville.

According to the weather service, heavy lake effect snow is expected to slowly move north Saturday, from the Southern Tier to towns south of Buffalo and the southern part of the city of Buffalo. Up to 2 feet of snow is forecast to fall in the most stubborn snow bands, at rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour.

Between 10 and 20 inches of lake-effect snow is expected near Buffalo by the end of Sunday, according to the weather service. The southern portion of Erie County, as well as Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, are expected to see 2 to 4 feet of snow through Monday night.

In nearby Genesee County, up to a foot of snow is forecast in the southwestern part of the county through Sunday evening.

How much snow will there be in New York during a winter storm?

Buffalo Metropolitan Area (Northern Erie County):
- Snowfall: 1 to 2 feet in areas of persistent snowfall, particularly in South Buffalo and the nearby southern suburbs.
- Timing: 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.
- Effects: Due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility, getting there can be extremely difficult.
Allegany County:
- Snowfall: 6 to 10 inches, mostly in the northwest.
- Timing: Friday 7 a.m. to Monday 7 p.m.
- Effects: Dangerous travel conditions, especially during morning and evening commutes.
Genesee County:
- Snowfall: 6 to 12 inches in southwestern areas.
- Timing: 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.
- Effects: Snow-covered roads and limited visibility expected.
Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Southern Erie Counties:
- Snowfall: 3 to 4 feet in the heaviest bands, primarily in western Chautauqua and southern Erie counties.
- Timing: Friday 7 a.m. to Monday 7 p.m.
- Effects: Travel is unlikely to be possible in areas with heavy snowfall.
Eastern Lake Ontario Region (Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis Counties):
- Snowfall: 4 to 5 feet near Watertown and the northern Tug Hill region.
- Timing: Friday 7 a.m. to Monday 7 p.m.
- Effects: Dangerous travel conditions and significant disruption.

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Snowstorm triggers a state of emergency in parts of New York

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