New York State Agencies Brace for Weekend Deep Freeze; Parents Urged to Plan for Travel and Safety
Albany, N.Y. — New York families are being urged to prepare for a dangerous stretch of extreme cold and wind chills expected to last through the weekend, with light snow and isolated squalls also possible in many areas.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the coldest “feels-like” temperatures are expected Friday night into Saturday morning in Western New York, then again Saturday night into Sunday morning. Wind chills are forecast to range from -20 to -40 in the North Country and -10 to -20 across the rest of the state, with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph Friday night through Saturday.
Forecasters also expect periods of light snow from Friday into early Saturday, and isolated squalls could create sudden drops in visibility. Even minor accumulations — a coating up to three inches in most areas — may lead to slick roads, especially during the Friday evening commute.
State officials warned the cold can reduce the effectiveness of some winter road treatments, and advised drivers to leave extra time and carry basics such as blankets, snacks and water. For parents, that can mean building flexibility into pickup plans, charging devices, and packing extra layers for children waiting outdoors at bus stops or activity drop-offs.
Under state rules, a Code Blue is automatically in effect when temperatures and wind chills fall below 32 degrees, requiring local social services districts to ensure people experiencing homelessness can access shelter and extended hours.
Officials said New Yorkers can get real-time weather and emergency texts by messaging their county or borough name to 333111, and should monitor National Weather Service updates for evolving alerts through Sunday.
