Gov. Kathy Hochul announced new travel restrictions and deployed National Guard members as New York braces for a massive winter storm expected to dump at least a foot of snow across most of the state through Monday afternoon.
The storm has already brought bitterly cold temperatures statewide and is forecast to begin impacting southern portions of the state in the early morning hours Sunday before moving north to cover the entire state by late morning and early afternoon.
Beginning at 12 a.m. Sunday, all commercial vehicles will be restricted to traveling only in the right travel lane on all state roads, including the New York State Thruway. A travel ban for long combination tandem vehicles on the Thruway will take effect at 6 a.m. Sunday.
“New Yorkers know how to handle winter, but it’s critical everyone treat this weather like the dangerous situation it is,” Hochul said. “From bitterly cold temperatures to heavy snowfall that will create treacherous travel conditions, there is no shortage of risks to being outside or traveling during the next few days, so I am urging everyone to be smart and stay home, stay warm and stay safe.”
Areas north of New York City are expected to receive between 12 and 18 inches of snow, while Western New York and the northernmost portions of the North Country may see 8 to 12 inches. Snow may transition to sleet Sunday evening in New York City and on Long Island, slightly decreasing projected totals there to the 8-to-12-inch range.
Hochul activated 100 members of the New York National Guard with 24 vehicles on Friday to support response operations and local partners across New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley. The service members will be staged and ready to assist beginning Saturday.
The statewide state of emergency declared Friday remains in effect. Early voting for Feb. 3 special elections in New York City will be suspended Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26. The state is working with the New York City Board of Elections to extend hours through the remainder of the early voting period to make up for the suspended hours.
Non-essential state employees have been directed to telecommute on Monday, where possible. Residents are urged to remain inside and avoid travel throughout the storm’s duration.