(WXXI News & AP)
UPDATE (as of Noon: ) Gov. Andrew Cuomo says National Guard members and snow-removal equipment are being moved upstate from the New York City area now that the storm has shifted. The metropolitan area is still under a winter weather advisory until 8 p.m. Tuesday. A blizzard warning is in effect for a region that includes northern Westchester County.
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A powerful nor'easter is hitting the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast prompting flight cancellations, school closures and warnings from city and state officials to stay off the roads in some communities.
The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
The storm was expected to dump 1 to 2 feet of snow on the New York City metro area with wind gusts of up to 55 mph.
There is awinter storm warning from the National Weather Service in Monroe and nearby counties until 8pm Wednesday.
In the Rochester area, WXXI meteorologist Josh Nichols is forecasting a total storm accumulation (through Wednesday evening) of about 16 to 20 inches of snow. He says areas just south of Rochester will see lesser amounts, and breezy conditions will create visibility problems at times, with the storm having the most impact on drivers during the Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday morning commutes.
Many schools in our area are closed Tuesday, you can check the list here.
A number of flights are canceled, check with your airline and the Monroe County website for information.
Amtrakis also working on a modified schedule in the northeast.
Trailways says that service on Tuesday will operate west of Rochester; service will operate east of Rochester to Syracuse but will not continue past Syracuse.
The City of Rochester’s Director of Operations, Karen St. Aubin is reminding drivers to leave extra time if they are on the roads.
And as for snow removal -- she says the city's web tool called PlowTrax will be your best bet to stay updated.
"PlowTrax is up and running. You can see it on our website. It will tell you what we're doing and where we've been. So you'll be able to see roughly how long it'll be before you get a snow plow."
St. Aubin says the City has about 8,000 tons of salt on hand in the shed -- with more being delivered as it gets used.
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said early Tuesday morning there are no official travel restrictions right now, but she is asking drivers to take extra time to get to where they are going.
Governor Cuomo has declared a ban on travel by Tractor Trailers on the entire New York State Thruway as well as interstates I-81, I-84, I-86/Route 17.
Cuomo also announced a full travel ban for all of Broome County
