With the season’s first snowfall expected to bring anywhere from a dusting in the southern part of Westchester County to up to a foot of snow in the north, Westchester County Executive George Latimer was joined by Operations Director Joan McDonald, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, Emergency Management Director Dennis Delborgo and Deputy Director Susan Spear for a briefing Friday afternoon at the County Office Building in White Plains on storm preparations.
Forecast models differ as to how much precipitation will fall on the county, but it may include a mix of sleet and rain along with periods of heavy, wet snow leading to wide variations in accumulation. The storm is expected to move into the area late Saturday afternoon and continue affecting the area until midday Sunday.
“Although the forecast may change, for now it appears as though most of the snow will fall during the overnight hours on Saturday when traffic is light. This should allow crews to safely clear our roadways,” Latimer said.
McDonald said the county is in touch with the Thruway Authority, the New York State Department of Transportation, Metro-North, and other agencies and they’re prepared to do their part to keep roadways open and transportation services operating.
“As of right now, Metro-North, Liberty Lines, our county paratransit system and the county airport have a normal weekend service schedule as of today, however that could change,” McDonald said. “As we often say, ‘if you are flying check with your carrier before you leave for the airport.'”
Spear said, “It’s been awhile since we’ve had a significant snowfall in Westchester County. Please remember how to drive in the snow and think seriously about what it means if you lose power. This is going to be the wet, heavy stuff, not the light fluffy stuff, so another reason to take it very seriously. If you’re shoveling it’s hard to shovel. If you’re driving, its really hard to drive.”
“We expect there will be worsening conditions in the northern part of the county compared with the southern part of the county,” Latimer said. “It can range in the southern part of the county from a rain incident to potentially five inches of snow or more. In the northern part of the county it can range from 10 to 12 inches, worst-case scenario. We are taking the necessary precautions in advance. We have gone through this before. We’re hardened New Yorkers.”
