Early this morning, the National Weather Service increased the projected snowfall totals for the impending snow storm, with three feet possible in some areas. Snowfall rates could reach 2″ per hour of wet snow, with power outages likely and travel becoming “treacherous” to “impossible.”
All Winter Storm Watches were upgraded to Winter Storm Warnings early this morning.
“All eyes remain on a long duration and potential major winter storm impacting eastern New York and western New England starting Monday (in the higher terrain) and Monday night (in the valley areas), lasting through Tuesday before finally ending on Wednesday,” explained Christina Speciale, a National Weather Service meteorologist from the Albany, NY office.
“If you do not need to travel on Tuesday, stay off the roads,” Speciale cautioned. “Treacherous travel conditions are expected, especially Monday night through Tuesday. This includes the Tuesday morning and afternoon commutes.”
Speciale noted the most impactful hazards will include high snowfall rates in excess of 2″ per hour at times, the weight of wet snow on tree limbs causing power outages, and strong winds.
Orange County: Winter Storm Warning in effect from 10:00pm Monday, March 13, 2023, through 6:00am Wednesday. Snowfall totals of 4″ to 12″. Higher snowfall totals will occur at elevations above 750 feet, where totals will range from 8″ to 12″. This is where power outages are possible due to the heavy, wet snow. Travel could be very difficult. Wind gusts to 40 mph.
Western Ulster County: Winter Storm Warning in effect from 2:00pm Monday, March 13, 2023, through 8:00am Wednesday. Snowfall totals of 10″ to 20″, with 2 to 3 feet across the higher terrain. Travel will be very difficult to impossible. Snowfall rates in excess of 2″ per hour at times. Wind gusts to 45 mph. Strong winds will result in very low visibility.
Eastern Ulster & Dutchess Counties: Winter Storm Warning in effect from 8:00pm Monday, March 13, 2023, through 8:00am Wednesday. Snowfall totals of 6″ to 12″. Snowfall rates in excess of 1″ per hour are possible. Travel could be very difficult. Wind gusts to 40 mph.
Sullivan County: Winter Storm Warning in effect from 6:00pm Monday, March 13, 2023, through 8:00am Wednesday. Snowfall totals of 9″ to 18″. Highest snowfall totals will be across the higher terrain. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Wind gusts to 40 mph.
Live radar, the 7-day forecast, current conditions (including wind gusts), and much more can be seen at The Newburgh News Weather Center here.
