New York, New York – Slippery highways and strong wind gusts could disrupt travel across New York beginning Thursday, Feb. 26, as a wetter late-winter pattern increases the risk for freezing rain and gusty conditions through Monday, March 2.
According to NOAA’s 6- to 10-day outlook issued Friday, above-normal precipitation is favored across the Northeast during the Thursday-to-Monday stretch. With temperatures hovering near seasonal averages, brief dips below 32 degrees could allow freezing rain to develop, especially overnight and during early morning commutes.
Statewide impacts may stretch from New York City north through Albany and into Buffalo. In the metro area, elevated roadways including the Cross Bronx Expressway and bridges over the East River could turn slick if light ice forms. Along the I-87 Thruway corridor, bridges spanning the Hudson River often freeze first. Farther west, Buffalo and Rochester may see precipitation shift between rain and freezing rain depending on surface temperatures near Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Wind risk increases late in the period. Gusts between 40 and 50 mph are possible across coastal Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and parts of western New York. Strong winds combined with saturated ground could down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages.
Residents should secure outdoor items, charge essential devices, and allow extra time for travel during peak icing windows. The unsettled pattern continues through March 2, and additional advisories may be issued statewide.
