Winter Weather — Eastern Ulster, New York

2024-03-22 to 2024-03-23 · Eastern Ulster, New York

Wider weather episode

The complex interaction of a northern stream shortwave and a southern stream coastal low pressure system brought widespread snow (moderate to heavy in places), freezing rain, and plain rain to eastern New York from the evening of Friday, March 22 through Saturday evening, March 23, 2024. The heaviest snow fell across areas mainly north of Interstate 90 where totals of 7 to 20 inches were common. To the south, 4 to 8 inches of snow fell from portions of the Schoharie Valley eastward to the Capital District into eastern Rensselaer County. Snowfall amounts of 5 inches or less fell farther south. Freezing rain accumulations were primarily focused across the Capital District where some flat ice accumulations of over 0.50 inches were observed.

Nearly 100,000 people lost power from this storm, with most of these occurring within the Capital District as the weight of the ice and snow snapped numerous trees, branches and wires. Some municipalities were without power for multiple days. Albany and Rensselaer county officials declared states of emergency. Numerous accidents were also reported and area schools were forced to close. Road closures (from accidents, hazardous conditions, or downed trees/wires) lead to travel delays.

Key Impacts: Power outages, school closures, traffic accidents, travel delays.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1169326. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.