New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has issued an alert urging residents and travelers to prepare for winter weather conditions expected to affect various parts of the state from Wednesday evening through Thanksgiving Day and into the weekend. The approaching weather system brings a combination of snow and rain that could create hazardous travel conditions for those heading out to celebrate the holiday.
Winter Storm Watches are already in effect from Friday through Monday for areas including Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and the North Country. These regions are anticipated to experience significant lake effect snow, potentially leading to substantial accumulations.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of caution, stating, “As we come together this Thanksgiving, I urge all New Yorkers to stay alert, monitor local forecasts, and exercise caution as they travel to be with family and friends this holiday weekend as we experience winter weather across the State. Heavy lake effect snow will also impact some areas this weekend and we are preparing to deploy additional snow removal equipment and personnel, utility crews, and have put the National Guard on standby. If you are traveling, please plan ahead, and prioritize your safety and the safety of others to ensure we can all spend this holiday with our loved ones — safely and warmly.”
The weather system is expected to begin with several inches of snow and freezing rain in the North Country today. This will be followed by widespread rain and snow across much of the state on Thanksgiving Day, further complicating travel. The most significant impact is anticipated on Friday when much colder air arrives, triggering lake effect snow. Areas near Lakes Ontario and Erie, including cities like Buffalo, Jamestown, and Watertown, could see snowfall accumulations reaching several feet throughout the storm’s duration.
State Agencies Prepare for Winter Weather Response
New York State is mobilizing resources across various agencies to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the anticipated winter weather.
New York National Guard: Governor Hochul has placed the New York National Guard on standby, ready to deploy if needed to assist with lake effect snow impacts this weekend.
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES): The Office of Emergency Management within DHSES is actively communicating with local emergency management teams and stands prepared to fulfill any requests for assistance. State stockpiles are fully stocked with emergency response equipment and supplies, ready for immediate deployment. The State Watch Center is diligently monitoring the storm’s progression and its effects throughout the state.
Department of Transportation (NYSDOT): NYSDOT is closely tracking weather conditions and has readied a force of 3,527 supervisors and operators statewide for response. All field personnel are on standby for full engagement and response. Residency locations in affected areas will maintain 24/7 operations, staffed with operators, supervisors, and mechanics throughout the weather event, prioritizing snow cleanup. The need for additional resources will be continuously evaluated as the situation evolves.
NYSDOT’s statewide equipment resources include:
- 1,630 Large Plow Trucks
- 336 Large Loaders
- 145 Medium Duty Plows
- 16 Pickups with Plows
- 51 Tow Plows
- 35 Snow Blowers
- 18 Graders
For real-time travel updates, motorists can access online travel information or dial 511, New York State’s official traffic and travel information hotline.
Thruway Authority: The Thruway Authority is also actively monitoring the weather forecast and has 691 operators and supervisors prepared to respond. Available statewide equipment and resources include:
- 358 Large and Medium Duty Plow Trucks
- 10 Tow Plows
- 63 Loaders
- Over 116,000 tons of salt on hand
Variable Message Signs and social media channels (X and Facebook) will be used to keep motorists informed about winter weather conditions on the Thruway.
This 2024-2025 snow and ice season marks the introduction of green hazard lights on all Thruway heavy-duty plow trucks, supplementing the standard amber lights. Green lights are designed to enhance visibility and improve safety during winter operations, particularly in low-light and severe weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that Thruway snowplows operate at approximately 35 mph to ensure effective salt distribution within driving lanes. Maintaining a safe distance behind snowplows is crucial for motorists as roadways are clearest and treated behind these vehicles.
The Thruway Authority encourages drivers to download its mobile app, offering real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras, and navigation assistance. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails and follow @ThruwayTraffic on X for the latest Thruway traffic updates.
Department of Public Service: New York utilities have approximately 5,500 personnel ready to address damage assessment, response, repair, and power restoration efforts across the state. The Department of Public Service staff will monitor utility activities and ensure appropriate staffing allocation to areas most severely affected.
State Police: State Police have instructed all Troopers to be vigilant and will deploy additional patrols to impacted regions as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles are operational, and specialized vehicles, including Utility Terrain Vehicles and snowmobiles, are staged and ready for deployment.
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): DEC Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff are on alert, continuously monitoring the evolving situation and weather forecasts. Working collaboratively with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment, including swift water rescue teams and sawyers, to areas potentially impacted by rain, snow, and high winds.
DEC also reminds those responsible for snow removal and disposal to adhere to best management practices to prevent flooding and minimize water quality impacts from pollutants in snow, such as salt, sand, and debris. Disposing of snow in waterways can lead to ice dams and flooding.
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation: New York State Park Police and park personnel are closely monitoring weather conditions. Response equipment is being prepared for storm response. Park visitors are advised to check parks.ny.gov, the NY State Parks Explorer mobile app, or contact local park offices for updates on park hours and closures.
Thanksgiving Travel Safety Tips
Prioritize safety if you must travel during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Key safety tips include:
Travel Precautions:
- Monitor Weather Forecasts: Stay updated on weather conditions for your local area and along your travel route.
- Avoid Unnecessary Travel: If possible, postpone travel plans to avoid hazardous conditions.
- Vehicle Preparation: If travel is essential, ensure your vehicle is equipped with a winter survival kit: blankets, shovel, flashlight with extra batteries, extra warm clothing, tire chains, jumper cables, energy food, and a brightly colored distress flag.
- Communication Devices: Keep cell phones or two-way radios charged and readily accessible for emergency communication.
- Vehicle Visibility: Clear your vehicle of all ice and snow before driving to ensure maximum visibility.
- Driving Distance and Speed: Increase following distance and reduce speed to match road and weather conditions. Be especially cautious of children obscured by snowdrifts.
- Snowplow Awareness: Be aware that snowplows operate at speeds up to 35 mph, often below posted speed limits. On highways, they may operate side-by-side. Never attempt to pass a snowplow and maintain a safe distance behind them where roads are cleared and treated. Snowplow drivers have limited visibility, and snow blowing from plows can create whiteout conditions.
Power Outage Preparedness:
- Utility Updates: Check with your utility provider for repair schedules in case of outages.
- Appliance Management: In a power outage, turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent overloads when power is restored. Leave one light on to signal power restoration.
- Emergency Heat: If heating fails, conserve warmth by closing off unused rooms.
Contact Your Utility to Report Electric Outages:
- Central Hudson: 800-527-2714
- Con Edison: 800-752-6633
- National Grid: 800-867-5222
- NYSEG: 800-572-1131
- O&R: 877-434-4100
- PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075
- RG&E: 800-743-1701
Heating Safety Practices:
- Safe Heat Sources: Use only safe alternative heating methods like fireplaces, well-ventilated wood or coal stoves, or portable space heaters, following manufacturer instructions and ensuring proper ventilation.
- Clearance from Flammables: Keep curtains, towels, and potholders away from heat sources.
- Safety Equipment: Ensure you have working smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher.
- Kerosene Heater Safety: If using kerosene heaters, use only correct fuel, refuel outdoors when cool, maintain a three-foot clearance from flammable objects, and ensure proper ventilation and fire safeguards.
For more comprehensive winter safety advice, visit the DHSES website at dhses.ny.gov/safety. For non-emergency service needs in New York State, dial 211 or visit 211nys.org.
About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services:
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is dedicated to providing leadership, coordination, and support for disaster and emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. For further information, follow @NYSDHSES on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) or visit dhses.ny.gov.
