State of emergency declared: 2-3 feet of snow, high winds forecast for North Country, Western NY

Syracuse, N.Y. ― Gov. Kathy Hochul Wednesday evening declared a state of emergency for Western New York and the North Country due to forecasts calling for heavy snow and high winds.

Areas east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are forecast to get two to three feet of snow along with wind gusts of 30-45 mph beginning tonight and continuing through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

“Travel will be very difficult with deep snow cover on roads and very poor visibility,” the weather service said. “Areas of blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, with near whiteout conditions at times.”

The state of emergency is in effect for Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Wyoming and contiguous counties, according to the governor’s office.

The Thruway Authority is implementing a tandem and empty tractor trailer ban in both directions on the Thruway (Interstate 90) from Exit 53 (Buffalo (Downtown) – Canada – Niagara Falls – Interstate 190) west to the Pennsylvania state line until further notice.

The state Department of Transportation is implementing a tandem and empty trailer ban beginning at midnight for State Route 5 from State Route 179 to Interstate 190 (Erie County), U.S. Route 219 from Interstate 90 to Interstate 86 (Erie and Cattaraugus counties), State Route 400 from Interstate 90 to State Route 16 (Erie County) and Interstate 86 from U.S. Route 219 to the Pennsylvania state line (Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties).

“I encourage all New Yorkers to stay alert, stay off the roads if possible, and keep in contact with family and friends as we move through the next 48 hours,” the governor said in a news release.