Albany, NY – Drivers across eastern New York and western New England have less than eight hours before a powerful nor’easter begins shutting down roads, with snowfall rates reaching 2 inches per hour by late tonight and wind gusts up to 45 mph reducing visibility below a quarter mile.
According to the National Weather Service in Albany, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday until 7 p.m. Monday for Ulster, Greene, Columbia and Dutchess counties in New York, Litchfield County in Connecticut, and Berkshire County in Massachusetts. Forecasters expect widespread totals between 10 and 20 inches, with locally higher amounts in the eastern Catskills.
Snow will intensify late Sunday afternoon, quickly covering major corridors including Interstate 87, Interstate 84 and the Taconic State Parkway. In cities such as Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Catskill, Pittsfield and Torrington, road conditions may deteriorate rapidly after sunset. Wind gusts near 45 mph will create blowing and drifting snow, especially in higher elevations around Hunter, Windham and North Adams.
The Monday morning and evening commutes face the highest disruption risk. Heavy, wet snow combined with strong wind could snap tree limbs and down power lines, raising the threat of scattered outages across the Hudson Valley and Berkshires.
Officials urge residents to avoid non-essential travel, charge devices and keep emergency supplies in vehicles. Warnings remain in effect through 7 p.m. Monday, and additional advisories may follow if snowfall bands intensify overnight.
