A massive winter storm bearing down on the East Coast this weekend is expected to bring heavy snow and subzero temperatures to New York. Winter storm warnings are in effect across much of the state through Monday night, according to the National Weather Service. Some areas could also see additional lake-effect snow into Tuesday morning.
Forecasters say 12 to 18 inches of snow could fall across large portions of New York as part of a potentially historic storm impacting more than two dozen states. Below is the latest on the storm and how it’s impacting New York.
Four NY cities set daily snowfall records for Sunday
Four major New York cities saw record-setting daily snowfall for Sunday, Jan. 25 as a massive storm dumped more than a foot of snow in some parts of the Empire State. While most number across the state are measured and submitted by spotters, these official tallies are measured by the National Weather Service at its offices around the state.
Four of those spots are Rochester, Binghamton, Albany and New York City. Those new records are:
Schools, colleges to close Monday due to winter storm
With Rochester City School District leading the way, more school districts in the Rochester region have closed schools and offices Monday, Jan. 26. Among the districts who announced the closure well before dusk are Penfield, Gates Chili, Greece and Rush-Henrietta.
Both Monroe Community College and Finger Lakes Community College also canceled all in-person and remote classes, events and activities. Nazareth University also canceled Monday’s classes.
Early snow totals are in: See how much has fallen so far across New York
The National Weather Service in Buffalo and in New York released some early snow totals for measurements submitted early Sunday afternoon. These are early measurements and will change as the storm progresses:
Eastern New York
Western New York
Winter storm photos from the Rochester area
More than 10,000 flights canceled as winter storm slams airports
Thousands of flights have been canceled as the storm moves east. On Sunday alone, more than 10,800 U.S. flights were canceled and over 2,800 delayed as of 2:30 p.m. ET, according to FlightAware. Airports including New York’s LaGuardia and Long Island MacArthur, Washington’s Reagan National and the Philadelphia International Airport saw cancellation rates above 90%. New York’s JFK International was at an 85% cancellation rate and Newark Liberty International in New Jersey was at an 89% cancellation rate, according to FlightAware.
Elsewhere in New York, 79% of flights were canceled Sunday at airports in Albany and Syracuse and 73% of Sunday’s flights in and out of Buffalo were also cancelled, according to FlightAware.
Those numbers are expected to rise as the storm continues east. Airlines began offering travel waivers to help customers avoid flight disruptions earlier in the week and have since expanded which flights are covered.
Travelers flying this weekend are urged to monitor alerts, consider rebooking early, and prepare for further disruptions.
State of Emergency in place for Rochester, Monroe County
Monroe County and the City of Rochester both declared a state of emergency early Sunday afternoon as a massive winter storm bears down on New York.
The countywide state of emergency became effective straight away and will be in place until it either expires within 30 days or it is rescinded, said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. He also issued a travel advisory requesting county residents avoid any unnecessary travel during the storm.
“These conditions are expected to worsen, and taking this advisory seriously will help save lives,” Bello said.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans declared a state of emergency for the city, which started at noon Sunday. He also requested no non-essential travel through mid-morning on Monday.
“With a significant amount of snowfall and sub-zero temperatures predicted throughout our region, it is in our residents’ best interests to stay home and stay safe through at least mid-day on Monday,” Mayor Evans said. “Reducing travel will give plows the space and time to clear the roads, and we’ll be able to resume at full capacity on Tuesday.”
Winter storm forces school, mall closures in NY
As snow continues to pile up across the Rochester region, a number of local malls are closing early Sunday, and at least one school district has canceled classes for Monday.
The Rochester City School District announced early Sunday afternoon that all schools and offices will be closed on Monday due to the storm. All school-related activities and events have also been canceled.
In the retail sector, Eastview Mall in Victor and Mall at Greece Ridge in Greece will both close at 3 p.m. Sunday, the malls’ owner Wilmorite confirmed, as the storm makes travel increasingly hazardous.
Stay tuned here for the latest updates on closures, cancellations, and weather impacts across the region.
Hochul: ‘We’re not through this. It’s just starting.’
New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul again Sunday morning outlined how state workers have prepared for the storm, including emergency services staff working across the state, DOT crews working to salt and clear roads and utility workers at the ready in case of power outages.
“We’re not through this, it’s just starting,” she said and emphasized that different parts of New York will be impacted with varying levels of snow – but much between 12-18 inches statewide, with some areas predicted to receive freezing rain – which could create a layer of ice on top of snow – in the New York City area and Long Island area. There ice is expected later Sunday afternoon and evening.
But, she noted this storm is statewide so all New Yorkers should be prepared, avoid unneeded travel – and to exercise caution if they need to leave their homes.
“Be smart, use caution and look out for each other.”
Flight cancellations in NY
Dozens of flights arriving and departing western New York airports have been canceled due to the massive storm. In Rochester, more than two dozen departing flights were canceled alone as of mid morning, leaving less than half that number of flights still operating, according to the airport.
Other New York airports seeing many flight cancellations due to the weather include major airports in Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and of course the New York City metro area.
Acting Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terry O’Leary at a late morning news conference said roughly 90% of flights at airports in New York have been impacted by either cancellations or delays.
Travel advisories issued throughout western, central NY
Numerous counties within the Rochester and Buffalo regions have issued travel advisories starting Sunday due to the the “severe weather conditions,” pending heavy snow and extreme cold temperatures. Among those counties are Genesee, Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming and Wayne counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Buffalo, Many roads throughout the region are snow-covered and slick. Travel conditions are expected to continue to deteriorate as the day progresses.
Cancellations at MCC, museums, churches
Monroe Community College canceled all in-person and remote classes, events and activities for Sunday due to the storm, according to its website.
Some churches in the Rochester region have canceled services and other activities Sunday, as flakes begin to fly. The Town of Brighton’s farmers market – typically held on winter Sundays at the market barn on Westfall Road in Buckland Park – was also canceled due to the storm.
Several area museums also announced they will have abbreviated hours on Sunday – both the Strong National Museum of Play and the Rochester Museum & Science Center announced a 3 p.m. closure on Sunday due to the storm. The George Eastman Museum and the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, both also in Rochester, have closed for the day on Sunday.
Thruway, state road ban issued as storm arrives
New travel restrictions for commercial vehicles on the New York state Thruway and other state roads were implemented as a result of the storm, according to the governors office.
All commercial vehicles will be restricted to only traveling in the right travel lane on all state roads, including the Thruway. Additionally, a travel ban for Long Combination Tandem Vehicles will be in place on the New York state Thruway, which started at 6 a.m. on Sunday.
Hochul declares a State of Emergency ahead of storm
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for all of New York ahead of what she called a “very, very dangerous weather event.” Speaking at a midmorning news conference Friday, Hochul said the storm is expected to impact “every corner of the state,” combining heavy snow with extreme cold.
“We are used to winter in New York,” Hochul said. “But when you get complacent, that’s when you get into trouble. This is a very dangerous combination of heavy snow and extreme, extreme cold.”
The emergency declaration allows the state to deploy resources directly to local governments as conditions worsen.
When does the snowstorm start?
This will vary depending on your location. Heavy snow is expected to develop late Sunday morning, intensify Sunday afternoon and evening, and continue overnight through Monday morning, said Jon Hitchcock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Buffalo. Additional lake-effect snow is possible Monday night into Tuesday, he said.
When will the worst of New York’s winter storm hit?
Snow is already falling in parts of western and central New York, but forecasters say the most dangerous phase is still ahead.
The bulk of the heavy snow is expected to fall Sunday afternoon through Sunday night, according to the Weather Service. Heavy snow is expected to continue to fall along the southern shore of Lake Ontario to Oswego county through Monday night. Snow is expected to linger in some spots on Monday.
AccuWeather says the system “could end up being the biggest storm of the winter so far, aside from localized lake-effect events.”
How much snow will NY get?
Central New York, Finger Lakes, CatskillsBetween 12 and 18 inches of snow are expected by Monday night across Oneida, Yates, Seneca, southern Cayuga, Onondaga, Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Madison, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, Tioga, Broome, Delaware and Sullivan counties. The heaviest snow bands could drop up to 22 inches.
Adirondacks, Hudson ValleyThe storm is expected to bring 12 to 18 inches of heavy snow. Snowfall rates in the Adirondacks could exceed 1 inch per hour, especially Sunday afternoon into Sunday night. Light snow may linger through Monday evening. The highest totals are expected in the eastern Catskills and Mid-Hudson Valley, where up to two feet of snow is possible in some spots by Monday night.
New York City and Long IslandThe New York City area and Long Island are forecast to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow. Snow may mix with or change to freezing rain or sleet Sunday afternoon or evening, which could create a layer of ice. Snowfall rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour on Sunday.
Western New YorkBy Monday night, 9 to 15 inches of snow are expected in Niagara, northern Erie, Orleans and Genesee counties, including the Buffalo area. South of Buffalo, 12 to 18 inches are forecast for Wyoming, southern Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties by Monday night.
Rochester and surrounding areasBetween 12 and 18 inches of snow are predicted for Monroe, Wayne and northern Cayuga counties by Tuesday morning. Roughly 12 to 18 inches are expected to fall in Livingston and Ontario counties by Monday night.
Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego countiesFollowing ongoing lake-effect snow, an additional 12 to 18 inches are expected by Tuesday morning. Forecasters say parts of the Tug Hill Plateau could see up to two feet of additional snow.
New York snowfall tracker: How much snow did you get?
How are state officials preparing for the storm?
State transportation crews have been pre-treating roads statewide, Hochul said. She also authorized all state employees to work remotely Monday and encouraged private employers to do the same.
Utility crews are on standby, though the storm is not expected to be a major ice event.
New York’s Emergency Operations Center was activated Saturday night and is expected to remain operational through at least Monday, according to Acting Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terry O’Leary.
Travel impacts from winter storm: What to expect on the roads
The New York State Thruway Authority said drivers should expect snow-covered roads, blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility during the height of the storm.
Motorists are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, especially overnight and during peak snowfall.
Conditions on local roads are expected to deteriorate more quickly than on interstates. Heavy snow rates and gusty winds could lead to near-whiteout conditions at times.
Officials urge drivers to give plows space and stay off the roads if possible.
How many delays, cancellations reported at New York’s major airports?
JFK Airport
➤ Current conditions at JFK
LaGuardia
➤ Current conditions at LGA
Newark Liberty
➤ Current conditions at EWR
Frederick Douglass
➤ Current conditions at ROC
Buffalo Niagara
➤ Current conditions at BUF
Syracuse Hancock
➤ Current conditions at SYR
Albany International
➤ Current conditions at ALB
Power outage map
You know it’s serious when a Weather Channel star comes to your state
Jim Cantore has landed in the Big Apple ahead of the massive storm expected to cripple parts of the Empire state this weekend.
The popular Weather Channel forecaster early Friday announced on social media that he was in Manhattan ahead of the pending winter storm projected to drop up to 18 inches on part of the state, including in New York City.
The meteorologist, best known for his on‑the‑ground reporting for The Weather Channel, is regularly deployed to communities expected to see the worst weather impacts. Cantore’s arrival in a city has become a cultural signal that extreme weather is on the way.
On his own Twitter account, Cantore predicted 10 to 18 inches in NYC with regards to the pending storm. That range would double or triple the amount of snow that’s already fallen in NYC to date this winter. According to National Weather Service data, 9.7 inches of snow was recorded to date this winter in New York’s Central Park.
Weather alerts tracker
Stores prepare beyond stocking shelves ahead of winter storm
In anticipation of storms, Wegmans Food Markets increases orders across most departments, said company representative Marci Rivera. In the chain’s experience, shoppers focus on what’s been called the “trinity” of winter storm stockpiling — milk, bread, and eggs.
Batteries, candles and ice are also in high demand. At the same time, some store operations are scaled back during storms.
ops sees the same surge in milk, bread and eggs — plus pasta, sauce, soup and canned vegetables, according to spokesperson Kathleen Sautter.
Winter supplies? Always a hit. Rock salt, ice melt and shovels fly off the shelves, she added.
Beyond adjusting inventory, stores take other steps to weather storms.
“When possible, we reschedule deliveries to arrive earlier than planned so drivers aren’t on the road during the storm,” Rivera said.
Wegmans’ newest stores have pad-mounted generators, and mobile generators can be deployed to areas with a history of power outages. All Wegmans locations have generators to support refrigeration and some lighting.
At Tops, Sautter said, “We adjust staffing to handle increased traffic and work closely with vendors and our distribution team to ensure shelves remain stocked.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Winter storm 2026 tracker: Live coverage and latest news
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile and Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
