'Crippling and Potentially Historic Blizzard' to Slam New Rochelle

Written by Brian McCready (Patch Staff)

Calling it a “crippling and potentially historic blizzard” the National Weather Service is advising against traveling from Monday evening through Tuesday because a blizzard is forecast to potentially dump up to 30 inches of snow on New Rochelle.

The National Weather Service just scrapped its Blizzard Watch and replaced it with a Blizzard Warning, which begins at 1 p.m. Monday and runs until midnight.

The National Weather Service predicts the Hudson Valley will receive 20-30 inches of snow with snowfall rates of 2-4 inches of snow per hour.

Winds will be gusting between 30-40 miles per hour with gusts up to 65 miles per hour.

Light snow begins in the morning accumulating 1-3 inches of snow by Monday evening’s commute.

Snow intensifies Monday night and the heaviest snow is forecast from midnight Tuesday until Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service is not playing around when it comes to the severity of this storm saying it could lead to “life-threatening conditions,” and that traveling will be “extremely dangerous.”

White-out conditions are expected and if you do travel the National Weather Service urges you to bring a survival kit.

New York State Police also issued the following alert about the storm:

The New York State Police from Troop K, covering Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester Counties, would like to remind motorists to use extreme caution if you must travel the roadways this Monday and Tuesday. Winter Storm Juno is expected to bring the Hudson Valley area heavy snow fall, with blizzard like conditions. Juno is also predicted to make travel virtually impossible on Tuesday. The State Police are urging motorist to simply avoid unnecessary travel.

If you must travel, keep the following tips in mind:

Always clear all of the snow off of your vehicle including the head lights, windows, windshield, and tail lamps.

Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Never follow a DOT snow removal vehicle closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered and slick.

Keep your gas tank as full as possible in the event that you are stranded or stuck in traffic.

Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces.

Be wary of black ice, which can be difficult to see but makes conditions slippery when pavement temperatures are below freezing.

Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become snowbound. Contact 911 for emergencies.

Keep your cell phone battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to contact first responders.

Make sure someone knows your travel plans and routes.

For road conditions, traffic, travel and transit info, use http://511ny.org/ or call 511.

Follow road closures and weather alerts on http://www.nyalert.gov/

Patch Editor Alfred Branch contributed to this report.

Image via AccuWeather.com

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