Hochul urges New Yorkers to prepare as extreme cold continues across state

Friday through Sunday, statewide feels-like temperatures will drop to subzero; coldest feels-like temperatures of season so far for certain areas

√ Widespread light snow & isolated squalls expected Friday afternoon into early Saturday; accumulations of a coating to 3 inches possible for most areas

√ Cold air temperatures may reduce effectiveness of winter road treatment; drivers should leave extra travel time and pack necessities

Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul urges New Yorkers to prepare ahead of extreme cold temperatures set to impact the state Friday through the weekend. The extreme cold combined with strong winds will lead to dangerous wind chill statewide.

The lowest feels-like temperatures are expected Friday night into Saturday morning for Western New York and Saturday night into Sunday morning. Parts of New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley and the Capital Region will see the coldest temperatures of the season to date. In the North Country, wind chills will be between minus 20 and minus 40 degrees. The rest of the state will see wind chills of minus 10 to minus 20 degrees. Wind gusts of between 30 and 40 miles per hour are expected Friday night through Saturday.

Additionally, light snow is possible across the state Friday into Saturday, with the potential for isolated snow squalls Friday afternoon and Friday night. With the extreme cold, any snow accumulation could cause slick roadway conditions – making for hazardous travel, particularly during the Friday evening commute.

“This winter has proven to be a brutal one, with high snowfall totals and continuous temperatures below freezing,” Hochul said. “Unfortunately, the cold we’ve seen for nearly a month is set to continue, but New Yorkers know how to stay safe. Stay home if you can, but if you can’t, make sure to allow yourself extra travel time and bring necessities like blankets, snacks and water with you. Before we know it, this winter will be behind us, but for now stay safe.”

New Yorkers should prepare to protect against the dangers that can result from colder weather and winter activities. Under state regulation, a Code Blue is automatically in effect whenever the temperature and wind chill equal less than 32 degrees. Local social services districts are legally required to take necessary steps to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and that shelter hours are extended. New Yorkers also should check out these cold weather tips from the Department of Health; additional tips for preventing frostbite and hypothermia; information on carbon monoxide poisoning; information on the proper use of generators; and safe winter driving tips.

The New York State Department of Labor advises workers and employers to engage in extreme cold weather best practices such as:

√ Limit outdoor work, provide frequent breaks in warm areas ,and schedule outdoor work during the warmest times of the day.

√ Ensure access to clean drinking water.

√ Stay hydrated with warm beverages and avoid drinking caffeine.

√ Wear proper PPE, including at least three layers of clothing, gloves or mittens, thick socks, insulated footwear and a hat, hood or hard hat liner.

View more information on best practices for working in cold weather.

Extreme cold watches, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued, and New Yorkers can monitor their local forecasts and look for updates issued by the National Weather Service. For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website.

New Yorkers can ensure that government emergency alerts are enabled on their mobile phones. They can sign up for real-time weather and emergency alerts that will be texted to their phones by texting their county or borough name to 333111.