18 Inches Of Snow For The Hudson Valley In 3-Day Nor-Easter

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The winter storms bearing down on the region are evolving into a nor'easter carrying a lot of snow and wind and expected to linger over the valley for a couple of days.

The National Weather Service issued storm warnings Sunday morning.

For southern Westchester: The warning begins at 7 p.m. Total snow accumulations of 14 to 18 inches expected, with blizzard-like conditions possible Monday and Monday evening. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph could bring down tree branches. Also for southern Westchester, there are two coastal flood advisories, the first for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and the second, more severe, for 8 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. Tuesday. For the first, up to one foot of inundation above ground level expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline. For the second, one to two feet of inundation above ground level expected.

For Orange, Putnam, Rockland and northern Westchester: The warning begins at midnight. Total snow accumulations of 14 to 18 inches expected; winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

For Dutchess and Ulster: Total snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches are possible.

The NWS has only issued storm watches for Dutchess and Ulster counties, but the folks at Hudson Valley Weather expect those to be upgraded to warnings over the course of the day.

Across the Hudson Valley and through the tri-state area, travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could affect school and the morning and evening commute.

The heaviest snow for most of the region should occur Monday night into Tuesday morning. Snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches an hour are possible.

With the blustery wind over long periods of time, blowing and drifting of snow is also possible, and the NWS warns it may cause scattered downed tree limbs and power lines.

"The major weather maker creating the wintry blast is the same storm that pummeled California with heavy rains and feet of snow," said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. "As the storm fully emerges across the Ohio Valley, AccuWeather forecasters expect it to interact with a developing low forming off the Atlantic coast and erupt into a full-blown nor’easter."

The folks at Hudson Valley Weather offered a detailed forecast and technical discussion.

"Today is a good day to get some supplies and finalize any pre storm prep, the duration of this event makes it unique in its impacts to travel and commerce, so preparations are a good idea," said Alex Marra and Bill Potter of Hudson Valley Weather.

Here's the National Weather Service's hour-by-hour forecast:

This is a developing news story. Check back with Patch for updates on the storm, power, and conditions.