‘Prepare now’: N.Y. issues warning ahead of major weekend storm; wind gusts up to 70 mph expected for part of state

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Powerful wind gusts, heavy rainfall, snow, and potentially even thunder, will make for hazardous conditions late Sunday into Monday across New York state.

The anticipated intensity of the storm prompted Gov. Kathy Hochul to release a statement Friday, urging New York residents across the state to prepare for the upcoming “major weather system.”

Although parts of upstate New York are forecast to take on some lake effect snow Monday, New York City and much of the state will see the worst of the system late Sunday. Residents can expect substantial rainfall amounts totaling 1 to 3 inches for most areas across the state, and potentially up to five inches in isolated, elevated areas. The anticipated precipitation combined with the unyielding winds to come will create the potential for flooding.

“The rain of this magnitude would be enough to cause, at the very least, poor drainage flooding, street and highway flooding, ponding on roadways; not necessarily enough for widespread or serious river flooding or anything on those lines,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bob Larson said. “But certainly, the traditional roads, the streets and areas, intersections that are prone to flooding are undoubtedly going to have flood issues with this. And along the immediate coast there could be coastal flooding around the times of high tide with that persistent, strong south wind, so any south-facing shoreline would be vulnerable to that.”

The governor warned that rain will eventually transition to “heavy, wet snow” during the storm for upstate regions; North Country, Mohawk Valley, Capital District, and mid-Hudson regions are slated to take on greater amounts of snow. This dangerous blend of snow and winds may make for a recipe of hazardous travel conditions and power outages in certain areas.

While upstate New York battles wintry…