Poughkeepsie, New York – Travel will become nearly impossible by 4 p.m. as heavy snow and 50 mph wind gusts reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less across the Hudson Valley and northwest Connecticut.
According to the National Weather Service in Albany, a Blizzard Warning is in effect from 4 p.m. Sunday until 7 p.m. EST Monday for Litchfield County in Connecticut and Dutchess and Ulster counties in New York. Snow totals will range from 12 to 18 inches, with snowfall rates reaching 2 inches per hour late Sunday night into early Monday. Winds gusting to 50 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow, especially in higher elevations and southern portions of the counties.
In Dutchess County, including Poughkeepsie, Beacon and Pawling, roads such as I-84 and the Taconic State Parkway will deteriorate rapidly after sunset. In Ulster County, Kingston, New Paltz and Ellenville could see whiteout conditions overnight. Litchfield County communities including Torrington and New Milford face similar impacts.
Tree limbs and power lines could snap under the combined weight of snow and wind, leading to scattered outages. Emergency officials urge residents to avoid all non-essential travel and prepare for prolonged road closures.
The most intense snowfall is expected late tonight through early Monday, with hazardous conditions lingering into the Monday evening commute. Additional advisories may follow as the nor’easter strengthens.
