Albany, NY – After a midweek winter storm moved through the region, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Albany is warning residents to prepare for snow squalls and dangerously cold wind chills on Thursday and Thursday night across much of eastern New York and western New England.
Forecasters say that the potential for brief but intense snow squalls will increase Thursday afternoon, especially for areas north and west of the Capital District, including the Adirondacks, Mohawk Valley, and Upper Hudson Valley. These squalls may cause sudden whiteout conditions, gusty winds, and quick bursts of accumulation that could make roads treacherous during the day.
According to the NWS, a snow squall warning is issued when short-lived but hazardous bursts of snow are expected, similar to a severe thunderstorm warning. These events can bring rapidly reduced visibility and chain-reaction crashes if drivers are caught off guard.
Once the squalls move through, the coldest air mass of the season will settle in Thursday night, driving wind chills to below zero across much of the region. Forecast maps show apparent temperatures dropping to -13°F in Caroga Lake, -9°F in Edinburg and Newcomb, and around 0°F in Albany and Windham. Even lower wind chills are expected in higher elevations.
Residents are urged to bundle up, limit outdoor exposure, and allow extra travel time during any snow squalls. The NWS recommends staying alert for rapidly changing road conditions and avoiding unnecessary travel during periods of heavy snow or reduced visibility.
