Hudson Valley: Higher Snowfall Estimates, More Storm Warnings

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The National Weather Service has increased its snow accumulation estimates for the Hudson Valley as the winter storm descending on the tri-state area is expected to linger several days.

Blizzard-like conditions will create dangerous travel conditions and potential power outages in the Hudson Valley, as well as flooding of low-lying areas in coastal locations, the NWS said.

• Southern Westchester County: Total snow accumulations are now estimated at 16 to 22 inches. Winds will gust as high as 45 mph.
• Orange, Putnam, Rockland and northern Westchester: Total snow accumulations of 18 to 24 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
• Dutchess and Ulster counties: The National Weather Service has upgraded its advisory to a winter storm warning, predicting total snow accumulations of 10 to 18 inches and winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

The impact on southern Westchester will be extreme, the NWS said.

Throughout the region, "Travel will be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions will impact the morning and evening commutes."

New York officials have banned short and long tandems on portions of the New York State Thruway effective Monday at 5 a.m. including I-87 from the New York City Line to Exit 24 in Albany, as well as on all of I-95 and I-287. Additionally, empty trailers will also be banned on I-87 between Exit 8 to Exit 21A, on the Berkshire Spur and on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

Trailer bans are also being implemented on roadways outside of the Thruway system. Beginning 5 a.m. Monday, empty trailers and tandem trailers will be banned on I-84 from the Pennsylvania state line to the Connecticut state line, on Route 17 East of Binghamton to the New Jersey state line, and on the entire length of I-684.

Light snow is expected to start Sunday night, coming from the southwest into the Hudson Valley.

"The problem is dry air. How strong and persistent is the dry air? We'll see. But keep in mind that conditions could deteriorate before sunrise on Monday," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather.

The heaviest snow, up to 1-3 inches an hour, will be Monday afternoon. The snow is expected to taper off late Tuesday.

Here's a look at the next 48 hours in the lower Hudson Valley from the National Weather Service.