Blizzard warnings expand, State of Emergency declared
UPDATE (12:32pm): The Blizzard Warning has expanded to include Dutchess, Ulster counties from 4pm Sunday through 7pm Monday –
Blizzard warnings have expanded up the Hudson Valley, and a State of Emergency will be in effect from Sunday into late Monday as a nor’easter moving up the coast has “rapidly intensified,” the National Weather Service in Albany says.
The State of Emergency has been declared for the following counties: Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Greene, Delaware, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester.
A Blizzard Warning has been issued from 1pm on Sunday through 7pm Monday for the lower tri-state area, including Westchester and Rockland, and has expanded this morning to include Dutchess, Ulster, Orange and Putnam counties.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the rest of the Hudson Valley from 1pm Sunday through 7pm Monday with accumulations of 10 to 20-inches predicted, with locally higher amounts possible.
Visibilities may drop below 1/4-mile due to falling and blowing snow with whiteout conditions expected. Travel will be “treacherous and potentially life-threatening,” the National Weather Service in New York says. The heaviest snow and strongest winds are expected Sunday night into Monday. Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour possible late Sunday night into Monday. Winds could potentially gust up to 50 miles per hour across the area.
As of 4pm on Sunday, February 22, all empty commercial vehicles and all tandem tractor trailers will be banned from travel on I-84 and all roads south of I-84, including all Thruway system roads. All other commercial vehicles will be restricted to the right lane on I-84 and all roadways south of I-84, including all Thruway system roads in Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties.
Effective 6pm on Sunday, February 22, 2026, all roads in Orange County will also be closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic, with the exception of necessary travel by designated essential municipal, medical, and law enforcement workers. Residents of Orange County are advised to refrain from being on the roads, unless they are deemed “essential personnel.”
An emergency order restricting travel in Dutchess County will be in effect starting at 9pm Sunday until 9am on Monday. Emergency orders will be adjusted based on weather conditions.
Westchester County officials have announced a “complete road ban” starting at 9pm on Sunday night through 10am on Monday. Roads will be closed to all but essential travel.
Residents are advised to stay home throughout the duration of the storm; travel should be restricted to emergencies only, the NWS says. Hikers are also “advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams.”
Restrictions will end “when conditions allow,” the governor’s office says.
February 21, 2026 - Latham, NY - Governor Kathy Hochul updates New Yorkers on winter storm preparations. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
“New Yorkers are no strangers to snow and cold weather, but these blizzard-like conditions approaching New York City, Long Island and the lower Mid-Hudson will bring heavy snow and strong winds, with the storm forecasted to impact much of our state,” Governor Hochul said. “As with every weather event, our state agencies are equipped with the resources they need to respond to the developing storm and keep everyone informed. I encourage everyone to take action, stay vigilant and always monitor your local forecast for real-time updates.”
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