Poughkeepsie, NY – Snow-covered highways and 40 mph wind gusts are keeping travel dangerous across the mid-Hudson Valley and northwestern Connecticut this afternoon, with some communities buried under nearly 20 inches as the evening commute approaches.
According to the National Weather Service in Albany, a Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Monday for Ulster and Dutchess counties in New York and Litchfield County in Connecticut. An additional 3 inches of snow may fall before the system pulls away. Storm totals range from 6 to 12 inches in Ulster and western Dutchess counties, with 10 to 20 inches reported across eastern Dutchess and much of Litchfield County.
Interstate 87 near Kingston, Route 9 through Poughkeepsie and Route 44 across Litchfield County remain snow packed with areas of drifting. Blowing snow is reducing visibility below 1 mile at times, especially on open stretches near Pine Plains, Amenia and New Milford. Secondary roads in New Paltz, Ellenville and Torrington are slick and rutted.
Gusty winds may down tree limbs and power lines, increasing the risk of scattered outages. Officials urge residents to avoid non-essential travel and carry a winter survival kit if driving is unavoidable. Snow will taper from west to east late this afternoon, but hazardous conditions may linger into the evening.
