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Lake-effect snow to continue impacting Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York & North Country regions throughout week
√ Hazardous travel conditions with near-whiteout conditions continue Tuesday, especially in Syracuse-Metro area; New Yorkers in affected areas should avoid travel and work from home if possible
√ Nonessential state employees who live or work in Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Niagara, Wyoming, Oswego, Cayuga, Onondaga, Cortland, Madison, Wayne, Jefferson, Lewis and Oneida counties directed to telecommute on Tuesday where possible
Submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul
Gov. Kathy Hochul today expanded New York’s state of emergency statewide, as an intense winter storm continues to impact much of upstate New York. Following periods of ice and rain throughout the state during the overnight hours, a long-duration lake-effect snow system moved into the state Monday morning, with winds as high as 70 mph in Western New York causing whiteout conditions. This lake-effect snow is expected to continue off the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario for the majority of the week – and while winds are expected to subside to 30-40 mph, whiteout conditions remain a possibility in parts of Western and Central New York on Tuesday, especially in the Syracuse-Metro area. New Yorkers in these areas should avoid all unnecessary travel, follow the direction of local authorities, and telecommute whenever possible.
“As winter storms continue to impact several regions across upstate New York, my message to New Yorkers remains the same: Monitor local forecasts, avoid travel, and stay prepared,” Hochul said. “Plow crews, emergency management teams and utility personnel continue to work to keep New Yorkers safe, and we stand ready to deploy additional resources anywhere they are needed throughout the storm.”
As storms progress throughout Monday, snowfall rates will increase. Off of Lake Erie, the heaviest snows will focus east to southeast of the lake, with the highest snow totals forecast for the Chautauqua Ridge area. Through Wednesday night, areas throughout the Chautauqua Ridge and southern Erie County could see between 2 and 3 feet of snow. Buffalo and points north could see more than a foot of snow. Snowfall rates will likely exceed 1.5 inches an hour and may reach 3 inches in certain locations at times.
Lake-effect snow off Lake Ontario will begin to shift south from Watertown across the Tug Hill Monday and begin to impact the Syracuse metro-area during the overnight hours. Through Wednesday night, areas within the Tug Hill Plateau and the Syracuse metro-area could see between 2 and 3 feet of lake-effect snow. Snowfall rates will likely exceed 1.5 inches an hour and may reach 3 inches an hour locally at times.
Strong winds will continue throughout the duration of these storms, with widespread 40-45 mph gusts expected and isolated gusts potentially reaching 50 mph. The strongest gusts are expected Tuesday morning and will decrease through the day Wednesday.
Tree damage and isolated power outages are possible where the strongest gusts occur. Gusty winds combined with snow are expected to create dangerous driving conditions with significantly limited visibility and the potential for snow squalls and/or blowing snow.
Due to these conditions, Hochul directed all nonessential state employees who live or work in Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Niagara and Wyoming counties to be sent home at 10 a.m. Monday. On Tuesday, nonessential state employees who live or work in Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Niagara, Wyoming, Oswego, Cayuga, Onondaga, Cortland, Madison, Wayne, Jefferson, Lewis and Oneida counties are being directed to telecommute where possible.
Road closures are currently in place in the following areas:
State Route 80 is closed in both directions between Pickle Hill Road and Spring Street in the Town of Minden (Montgomery County), due to trees on wires.
State Route 266 is closed in both directions between Grand Island Boulevard to Sawyer Avenue in the Town of Tonawanda, due to flooding.
The Buffalo Skyway (State Route 5) is closed in both directions between I-190 to NY-179 in the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna, due to high winds.
An empty tractor trailer and tandem ban is in effect for the following roadways:
•Thruway
•NYSDOT highways
Numerous winter storm warnings and watches, winter weather advisories, high wind warnings and wind advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service. New Yorkers should closely 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 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.
Power outage safety tips
•Do not go near or touch fallen or sagging power lines: Treat all wires as live and dangerous. Keep children and pets away from fallen electric wires. Never touch any lines or any items that are in contact with lines.
•Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules.
•Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
•If heat goes out during a storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.
To report an electric outage, call:
For more safety tips, go to www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.
Winter driving safety tips
•Monitor the forecast for your local area and areas you may be travelling to.
•Avoid unnecessary travel.
•If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods, and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
•If you have a cellphone or other communications device such as a two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
•The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, make sure your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.
•It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit.
•Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, to safely clear several lanes at one time.
•Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions.
•Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted. Never attempt to pass a snowplow while it's operating.
1859 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072
Phone: 716-773-7676
Fax: 716-773-7190
