UPDATE: 01/27/2015 7:52am  The travel ban in New York will be lifted statewide effective at 8:00am.

UPDATE: 01/27/2015 7:45am  The PATH system in New York and New Jersey is now operating on schedule.

UPDATE: 01/27/2015 7:30am  New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has lifted travel bans in New York City and the Hudson Valley.  Bans in Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester counties have officially been lifted.  In New York City the MTA will operate on a normal schedule for the remainder of the day.

UPDATE: 01/27/2015 6:52am  Blizzard warnings for the downstate New York area have been cancelled.  While snowfall is expected to continue throughout the day, the accumulation in the New York City area is expected to be steady but slow.  About ten inches of snow have fallen in Central Park.  While schools and many businesses remain closed in the five boroughs, stock markets and several government offices will be open today.

The state of Massachusetts, however, is still bracing for potentially life-threatening conditions.  The town of Scituate has cut power off to residents to stave off the potential for fires that could be caused by tidal surges and high winds.  Other parts of Massachusetts are being hit hard by snow at this hour.  Travel throughout the Northeast remains hampered by winter weather.  Approximately 4,500 flights have been cancelled at northeastern airports.

UPDATE: 01/27/2015 4:27am  States of emergency remain in effect in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut this morning.  Although snowfall in some parts of the Northeast is less than previously anticipated, other regions, particularly Long Island and Boston, Massachusetts, are expected to get hit the hardest by the storm.

Snow is gusting up to 70 miles per hour this morning.  Closer to sunrise snowfall is expected to reach approximately two inches per hour.  Mass transit remains closed throughout the five boroughs and for thirteen counties in the affected region.  Schools and most businesses are closed and residents are being advised to stay indoors.

Areas of New York northwest of the Hudson Valley are experiencing only light snowfall and should not be affected by the storm.

Flights throughout the northeast have been cancelled and major transit routes have been interrupted.

UPDATE: 01/26/2015 6:04pm  Heavy snowfall has now made its way to the Mohawk Valley.

UPDATE: 01/26/2015 5:31pm The Governor's Office is advising that National Guard personnel have been mobilized in those area affected by the storm.  In New York City the MTA and Port Authority will close at 11:00pm.

Those who are travelling on roads that have been closed in affected areas are subject to a misdemeanor charge and fines of up to $300.

Satellite Image of Blizzard January 26, 2015 provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOED Project via Getty Images
Satellite Image of Blizzard January 26, 2015 provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOED Project via Getty Images
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UPDATE: 01/26/2015 4:18pm Tractor trailers are banned from Exit 17 on the New York State Thruway to the New York City line, and long tandems banned from Exit 32 to the New York City line.

New York State Thruway Authority Advisory 01262015
New York State Thruway Authority Advisory 01262015
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The following advisory has been posted from the New York State Thruway Authority:

Long tandem tractor trailers are banned on the Thruway (I-90) in both directions between exit 32 (Westmoreland – Rome) and exit 24 (Albany) and on the Thruway (I-87) in both directions from exit 24 (Albany) to the New York City line, including the Berkshire Connector between I-87 and I-90 in Massachusetts.

Parts of the New York State Thruway will be closed this afternoon because the impending winter storm, but at this time only affected areas are being shut down.  This includes New York City to Albany, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.  In addition, I-84 near Exit 17, both directions, are being closed to tractor trailers.

Dan Weiller, Director of Media Relations and Communications for the New York State Thruway Authority, tells WIBX that these "decisions are not being made in a vacuum.  We are working to maintain safety and ensure that residents are able to get where they need to go."

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 26: Pedestrians walk along a Manhattan street in heavy snow on January 26, 2015 in New York City. New York, and much of the Northeast, is bracing for a major winter storm which is expected to bring blizzard conditions and 18 to 24 inches of snow to the area. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that only emergency vehicles will be allowed on area roads after 11pm. Photo Credit: Spencer Platt, Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 26: Pedestrians walk along a Manhattan street in heavy snow on January 26, 2015 in New York City. New York, and much of the Northeast, is bracing for a major winter storm which is expected to bring blizzard conditions and 18 to 24 inches of snow to the area. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that only emergency vehicles will be allowed on area roads after 11pm. Photo Credit: Spencer Platt, Getty Images
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Governor Andrew Cuomo's office has declared a state of emergency for all downstate counties throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.  These include the following counties and the regions closest to them:

  • Bronx
  • Dutchess
  • Kings
  • Nassau
  • New York
  • Orange
  • Putnam
  • Westchester
  • Queens
  • Richmond
  • Rockland
  • Suffolk
  • Ulster
  • Westchester
A ban on tractor trailers will be in effect on major state roads and highways beginning at 4:00pm today  Additional restrictions may be put in place at 11:00pm this evening, or as weather requires.
It is important to note that the very nature of the anticipated storm could mean that changes will be made to this travel advisory as it is currently posted.
Cuomo has directed that all non-essential state employees who are in areas covered by the emergency declaration leave work and go home no later than 3:00pm.
In a written statement the Governor said, " With forecasts showing a potentially historic blizzard for Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley, we are preparing for the worst and I urge all New Yorkers to do the same - take this storm seriously and put safety first."
A blizzard warning has been issued for the New York City metropolitan area through the evening hours of Tuesday, Jnaury 27th.  The National Weather Service is forecasting snow accumulation of at least  1 1/2 to 2 feet combined with wind gusts of between 50 and 70 miles per hour.
Emergency responders are advising residents to pay attention to weather forecasts as conditions could change throughout the evening hours and may do so unexpectedly.
The Governor's office has directed the following agencies to act as liaisons for all those needing emergency services:
  • Agriculture and Markets
  • American Red Cross
  • Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Education
  • Fire Prevention and Control
  • Health
  • Information and Technology Services
  • Interoperable Emergency Communications
  • Mental Health
  • Military and Naval Affairs
  • NYSERDA
  • New York State Police
  • New York State Thruway Authority
  • Office of Children and Family Services
  • Office of General Services
  • Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
  • People with Developmental Disabilities
  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
  • Public Service Commission
  • Salvation Army
  • State University of New York
  • Temporary and Disability Assistance
Those needing assistance are asked to call their local emergency response center.  Residents are being advise not to travel in affected areas unless absolutely necessary, and only where allowed based on travel restrictions in place.
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 26: People wait for their train platform to be announced at Penn Station while a major snowstorm begins on January 26, 2015 in New York City. The storm is expected to bring 1-3 feet of snow to the New York City region over the next 36 hours. Photo Credit: Andrew Burton, Getty Images
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 26: People wait for their train platform to be announced at Penn Station while a major snowstorm begins on January 26, 2015 in New York City. The storm is expected to bring 1-3 feet of snow to the New York City region over the next 36 hours. Photo Credit: Andrew Burton, Getty Images
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Approximately three thousand flights scheduled at major airports in the Northeast between tonight and tomorrow have already been cancelled.
Flight Board at Boston's Logan International Airport January 26, 2015 Photo Credit: Darren McCollester, Getty Images
Flight Board at Boston's Logan International Airport January 26, 2015 Photo Credit: Darren McCollester, Getty Images
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