Hochul, MTA preparing for wind, rain and snow as storm barrels down on New York

ALBANY — Gov. Hochul and MTA officials said New York is gearing up for heavy snow, whipping winds and pounding rain as a winter storm began battering the state on Thursday.

The governor said plows and other resources are at the ready as she urged New Yorkers to take caution and stay off of the roads as the wintery mix was expected to last through Saturday.

“We’re gonna be ready for this. New York is ready, as we always are. Bring it on mother nature,” Hochul said during a press briefing at the State Capitol.

Parts of upstate are expected to see well over a foot of snow, especially the North Country, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region, Mid-Hudson and Central New York regions.

Peak snowfall rates could reach up to 2 inches per hour Thursday night and on Friday, the governor added.

One to two inches of rain are expected in New York City and along the coast, where temperatures should remain above freezing.

While snow isn’t in the forecast for the city, Hochul said that damaging wind gusts could still be the biggest concern in the five boroughs.

“When you have the wind event coupled with this, whether it’s the rain downstate or snow upstate, that’s when you have the vulnerable situation where power lines can come down,” the governor said.

Winds could gust between 45-50 m.p.h. in the city on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks will be banned from crossings beginning at 10:00 p.m. Thursday through 2:00 p.m. Friday due to forecasted wind gusts.

“Bridges and Tunnels is prepared for the high winds forecasted to pass through the area today into tomorrow, which pose particular concern on bridges,” said MTA Bridges and Tunnels president Daniel DeCrescenzo Jr. “We will be closely monitoring wind speeds and conditions at our facilities and advise motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.”

Metro-North trains, which travel through suburban areas expected to see snow accumulation, will run a normal weekday schedule, officials said. Subway service should not be impacted.

Hochul repeatedly referenced the massive winter storm that dropped more than 6 feet of snow in the Buffalo area last month as she touted her team’s ability to handle weather emergencies.

“So, as someone from Buffalo, I’m not a stranger to this,” she said. “Upstate, we’re not a stranger to this. But it’s all about repositioning everything, all your resources, getting them on the ground before you end up in a difficult situation.”