A rapidly intensifying nor’easter is forecast to impact the mid-Hudson Valley, New York City and much of the Northeast from Sunday into Monday, bringing heavy snow, powerful winds, and dangerous blizzard conditions.
Middletown and the Orange County region is under a blizzard warning from 1 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday, although the area is not expected to be hit as hard as the coastal areas, New York City and Long Island, according to the National Weather Service in New York City.
State of Emergency declared as blizzard targets NYC area
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday declared a state of emergency in more than 20 counties and activated the New York National Guard ahead of a powerful blizzard expected to impact New York City, Long Island and parts of the Hudson Valley.
Officials warn the storm could bring dangerous travel conditions, coastal flooding and widespread power outages.
Beginning Sunday, 100 National Guard members and 25 vehicles will be staged across downstate regions to assist with storm response. The State Emergency Operations Center will also activate Sunday morning. winter storm warnings are in effect for parts of the Hudson Valley, where 10 to 15 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible. Additional counties are under winter storm watches.
Transit agencies are adjusting service, and beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, empty commercial vehicles and tandem tractor trailers will be banned from I-84 and roads south of it, including sections of the Thruway. Hochul urged residents to prepare now, avoid unnecessary travel and monitor weather updates.
Winter storm forecast for Middletown, NY area
According to the National Weather Service office in New York City:
Sunday during the day: Snow, mainly after 10 a.m. High near 34. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. East wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Areas of blowing snow after 1 a.m. Low around 25. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Blustery, with a north wind 14 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.
Monday: Snow, mainly before 1 p.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Areas of blowing snow before 1 p.m. High near 34. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Breezy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Blizzard conditions expected Sunday night into Monday
Forecasters say the storm will strengthen quickly offshore, producing snowfall rates of 1–2 inches per hour and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph. AccuWeather warns that heavy snow combined with strong winds could create blizzard conditions across Long Island, New York City, and coastal areas.
“The storm will be incredibly disruptive and dangerous,” said Carl Erickson, AccuWeather director of forecasting operations. “Blowing snow and near-zero visibility will make travel nearly impossible during the worst of the storm.”
The strongest winds are expected Sunday night into early Monday.
Blizzard and winter storm warnings issued for New York
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Long Island, New York City, northeast New Jersey, southern Connecticut, and the lower and parts of mid-Hudson Valley from 1 p.m. Sunday until 6 p.m. Monday.
Expected impacts:
Major travel disruptions expected
New York weather radar
New York severe weather watches and warnings
Victoria E. Freile and Alexandra Rivera of the New York Connect Team contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: What to expect during blizzard warning in Middletown
Reporting by Middletown Times Herald- Record / Times Herald-Record
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