New York is facing a historic winter storm with record-breaking cold, heavy snow, and dangerous travel conditions. Governor Kathy Hochul delivered a full briefing on preparations, emergency resources, and life-saving safety tips for residents during this Arctic blast.
Highlights from the press conference include:
Statewide snowfall of up to 12–18 inches in some areas and record-low temperatures as low as -49°F.
Travel bans and road restrictions to keep drivers and plow operators safe.
National Guard deployment and thousands of state personnel working around the clock.
Advice on shoveling safely, protecting pipes, pets, and neighbors, and staying indoors during extreme cold.
Federal law enforcement concerns and Hochul’s warnings about public safety issues.
Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe! Full press conference coverage here.
#WinterStorm2026 #NewYorkWeather #KathyHochul #SnowEmergency #RecordCold #WinterSafety #TravelAdvisory #ArcticBlast #Snowstorm #NYCWeather #EmergencyPreparedness
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Highlights from the press conference include:
Statewide snowfall of up to 12–18 inches in some areas and record-low temperatures as low as -49°F.
Travel bans and road restrictions to keep drivers and plow operators safe.
National Guard deployment and thousands of state personnel working around the clock.
Advice on shoveling safely, protecting pipes, pets, and neighbors, and staying indoors during extreme cold.
Federal law enforcement concerns and Hochul’s warnings about public safety issues.
Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe! Full press conference coverage here.
#WinterStorm2026 #NewYorkWeather #KathyHochul #SnowEmergency #RecordCold #WinterSafety #TravelAdvisory #ArcticBlast #Snowstorm #NYCWeather #EmergencyPreparedness
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpLEtz3H0jSfEneSdf1YKnw/join
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NewsTranscript
00:00All the first responders and those who are in rooms like this across the state, but also out in our communities and on the streets, we sleep safer at night and we are safer during a storm like this because of their hard work.
00:13This is certainly the coldest weather we've seen, the coldest winter storm we've seen in years, and truly New York State is locked into a grip here.
00:21A sort of an Arctic siege has taken over our state and many other states across the nation.
00:29And the snowstorm we're expecting is now underway, but it is brutal, it is bone-chilling, and it is dangerous.
00:37Snow began falling already on Long Island in New York City early this morning.
00:42Snow is now falling in Albany and everywhere in between.
00:45As I mentioned, we're not alone. It's hitting the entire state and 30 states as well this weekend.
00:50So we are anticipating the longest cold stretch and the highest snow totals the state has seen in several years.
00:57The longest cold stretch and the highest snow totals in years.
01:01Already, records in the state have been shattered.
01:05Shocking reports out of Watertown.
01:08Actual temperature in Watertown was minus 34 and minus 49 in Copenhagen.
01:15That is not the real field. That is not the wind chill. That is actual temperature.
01:18We've warned this to be dangerously cold, and it has been unrelenting.
01:24Friday, temperatures across the state were as low as minus 40 to minus 20 and felt as cold as minus 30 to minus 50.
01:33But I know New Yorkers know how to deal with the weather.
01:36And again, I've been at this emergency operations center to see how impressive our operations are.
01:40I always want to take a chance to thank the plow drivers, the hospital workers, and all the emergency and essential personnel who are there.
01:47As you know, I declared a state of emergency on Friday.
01:50Since then, to enhance our response, we've deployed over 100 National Guard members.
01:57Many of them are concentrated downstate at this time to go where they're needed,
02:00and also to particularly help on Long Island and the Hudson Valley and New York City.
02:05We've also taken some steps to take our roads, make our roads safer,
02:08banning long-tandem tractor-trailers on the thruway as of 6 a.m. today.
02:14Commercial vehicles are right now restricted to the right lane only on state roads.
02:20And two counties have full travel bans in place, Dutchess and Ulcer.
02:24And additional travel advisories and restrictions are all over the state.
02:28We have, as I mentioned, deployed additional resources.
02:31We have additional DOT personnel who have been all over the state.
02:37I mentioned the other day we have countless snow plows and lifts and all the equipment that's necessary, plenty of salt.
02:44We've been stocking up on salt in anticipation that our plow drivers would need this to keep the roads clear.
02:51And for parents in New York City, about an hour ago, the mayor announced that schools will move to remote learning tomorrow.
02:58So, to the snow's forecast, everyone across the state should prepare for a solid day and a half of this weather.
03:07And the heaviest snow will still be coming this afternoon and through the night.
03:11This will continue through most of the weekend or most of the day tomorrow.
03:14But we expect it to end by midday.
03:17So, here are some of the totals we expect.
03:198 to 12 inches in the north country.
03:2212 to 18 in the southern tier, Mohawk Valley, central New York, and even parts of the Finger Lakes,
03:27including Rochester and western New York.
03:30So, we've had some changes in the recommendations and the recommendations from National Weather Service.
03:34But I also want to make a point here.
03:37A number of years ago, we created the State Weather Risk Communication Center.
03:42This is the first in the nation state-of-the-art facility, which I've toured many times,
03:47that gives us daily weather briefs.
03:49And they're willing to go out and forecast, across the state, snowfalls and temperatures,
03:55even out through the next weekend, which is further than the National Weather Service does at this time.
04:00What that means is we have earlier information about longer-term impacts that we can prepare for,
04:05deploy the resources, the personnel, the equipment.
04:08So, I find this, once again, to be critically important in our response and our preparation and our response to storms like this.
04:17So, we're continuing to see a lot of snow, about 1 to 2 inches an hour in New York City in the Long Island area.
04:24They're expecting, as I said, up to 8 to 12 inches of snow,
04:27which is something that's more challenging to handle in that area than other parts of our state.
04:31We're also transitioning to sleet tonight.
04:34Sleet is dangerous.
04:36Sleet can also create icy, hazardous conditions on the roads and sidewalks.
04:40And we've not seen New York City, as I mentioned, is going to see a foot of snow.
04:44We've not had that level of snow since 2021.
04:47So, it's been a number of years.
04:49The good news for us, and the only good news, is that the winds will not be a major factor here.
04:54This is often what we worry the most about, is power lines coming down, the wind having squalls on the thruway,
05:02and the visibility goes to zero, and you have the multi-vehicle collisions.
05:07We're not expecting that, but there could be isolated squalls in certain areas.
05:11So, we're still not out of the woods on that, but it's not going to be a statewide high wind event either.
05:17There are parts of Long Island and New York City that could gust up to 30, 35 miles an hour.
05:22So, this is a factor as well.
05:23We're not expecting widespread power outages, as I mentioned, but that being said, it's always better to be prepared in advance,
05:32and we have 5,500 linemen and women ready to restore power if necessary.
05:36And Conet has brought in mutual additional assistance as well.
05:40So, what about traveling, those who are going to be on the roads?
05:42Number one, if you can be off the roads, that is the best advice.
05:45Stay off the roads.
05:46They're going to be slick, icy, snow-covered.
05:49And if you can stay home with these extremely cold temperatures and hazardous roads, you and your family will be much, much safer.
05:56So, tomorrow's commute for those who are working.
05:58We encourage other employers to allow their workers, if possible, to work remotely.
06:04We know there's many who cannot.
06:05And, again, I thank our nurses and hospital personnel and medical personnel across the state who know they have to be out there,
06:12our first responders and others, but if you can avoid travel, we'd want to have that happen as well, as much as possible.
06:18As I mentioned, state employees are working remotely on Monday.
06:22So, we also want to make sure the plows can get through.
06:25Commissioner Dominguez knows this, and I've been a passenger in a plow,
06:29and the biggest concern they have is their own visibility and making sure that they can do their jobs without worrying about the other vehicles around them.
06:36So, do this to help not just yourself stay safe on the roads, but also our plow drivers.
06:42And the good news for Downstate, those who rely on public transportation,
06:48the MTA is planning on maintaining a weekend schedule.
06:51Trains and buses will continue to run.
06:53Again, this is always subject to change.
06:55We'll be focused on snow removal on platforms and near stations.
07:00But we're concerned about keeping people safe as they get to their jobs.
07:05We also have a number of special elections scheduled for Tuesday, February 3rd.
07:10And so, the ones that are in New York City, in that area, we're going to be suspending early voting for today and tomorrow.
07:17So, we want to make sure people mark their calendars if they want to vote early.
07:21We will be adding extra hours to help compensate for that.
07:25So, New Yorkers, stay home.
07:28Hunker down.
07:30Root against the Patriots.
07:31That's up to you personally, personal decision.
07:33But also, sign up for text alerts so you can be up-to-date with all the information you want to share with you.
07:40333-111 will get you, if you type in your county and your borough, you'll get everything you need to know.
07:46And monitor all the local forecasts and warnings.
07:50A couple of things.
07:52As a pro in shoveling snow myself, make sure that you, I'll give you a quick demonstration.
07:59Do not bend over to shovel.
08:02You bend down your knees.
08:03You want to bend down so you can protect your back.
08:06Also, you don't have to have a high amount of snow on the shovel.
08:10I'll give you a demonstration outside if you want.
08:12But neighbors of mine have had heart attacks from shoveling too much snow.
08:16It's better to take multiple smaller bites at it.
08:19Lift smaller amounts of snow.
08:20So, toss it aside, but do not try to go for the big, massive shovel full of snow because, regardless of your health, this could cause a heart attack or a cardiac attack as well.
08:32So, also, if you're indoors, and you will be indoors, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in case you have to use indoor space heaters.
08:40Dress in layers, cover every part of your body.
08:43I was outside yesterday.
08:45I had a face wrapped up in a scarf, ears covered, hand warmers in the gloves.
08:50There are ways to protect if you must be out there.
08:54I've mentioned before how important it is to make sure your vehicle can save your life if necessary.
09:00Again, you must consider the worst case scenarios when you're going out.
09:02You do not know that what you think is just a safe ride to the grocery store or an appointment can result in you going off the road and having to rely on your vehicle if you're stuck in a snowbank.
09:15We've talked about having extra phone chargers.
09:18Make sure your phone is charged.
09:19Blankets, water, food, anything you think you would need to protect you.
09:23And also protecting your pipes from freezing.
09:27Another pro tip, just take a long towel from the bathroom, roll it up, and stick it in front of the door.
09:32It can stop a lot of wind from coming in or use the plastic sheets that you put on the windows with a blow dryer.
09:39It's kind of a fun thing to do.
09:41So, also, this is a time to be a good neighbor.
09:44You know, check on your elderly neighbors.
09:46I have shoveled the sidewalks of my neighbors when I was growing up.
09:49It's what we always did, our neighbors next door.
09:52Also, watch out for pets.
09:54I know many of them have to go outside, but keep an eye on them and don't let them stay outside too long.
09:58So, the bottom line is that we're not through it.
10:01This is sort of the beginning.
10:02We've been talking about this for days.
10:04Different parts of our state are being affected differently at different times, but this is a statewide event.
10:09It is unrelenting.
10:10We don't expect any relief from this forecast at this time.
10:14And all of our state agencies, I just had a chance to thank them a few minutes ago.
10:18They are working tirelessly around the clock.
10:20And we're going to continue being flexible.
10:22So, as I mentioned, we have had some of the coldest nights of the entire year and also some of them record, record lows.
10:30So, I want to make sure that we are protecting everybody.
10:33Be smart, exercise caution, and look out for each other.
10:36So, let me turn it over to Acting Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Terry O'Leary, to go through our other state preparations.
10:44Thank you, Governor.
10:48And, Governor, I'd like to say thank you very much for coming to the EEOC today to see the staff.
10:53What you see today in the EEOC is the nerve center of the state's response to any crisis or emergency.
11:01And today, we have not only representatives from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, but also from our partner agencies.
11:11And what they're doing is they're bringing in information from throughout the state.
11:14They're seeing where resources need to go to help answer any task that's in front of us, and they deploy those resources.
11:21And what you saw in that other room are some of the nation's best emergency management professionals.
11:26It's not only the division that is working.
11:28We also have representatives from the Department of Environmental Conservation, the National Guard, the Department of Transportation, State Police, ITS, State Fire, our Parks Department, Thruway, as well as our partners from the National Weather Service.
11:45I'd also like to thank those who are working in emergency management that are not in the facility.
11:51As the Governor mentioned, there are emergency operation centers operating throughout the state in localities and counties.
11:56And New York State is helping to support those, and those include New York City Emergency Management, Nassau, Suffolk, Ulster, Orange, and Monroe County, as well as Duchess, Sullivan, and Westchester.
12:10And we also have staff working with Buffalo as well.
12:13The Governor told you about the weather, what we're seeing.
12:17It's important to note that we will see a change in New York City and on Long Island, where it will switch over from snow to freezing rain and ice this afternoon, and that will last through around midnight when it will switch back to snow.
12:33This will make for dangerous travel.
12:36Thankfully, though, we are forecasting very low amounts of ice accumulation.
12:40We do not expect power outages and downed power lines.
12:44It is important to know, though, if you see a downed power line, treat it as if it is live.
12:50Stay at least 30 feet away and call 911.
12:56There is no rest from the weather in New York.
12:59Immediately after this snowstorm, we are going to see a lake effect storm come in.
13:04And thanks to our friends at the Nice Work, they have forecasted that we will see snow bands setting up both off of Ontario County as well as Lake Erie.
13:16That will start Tuesday night and will go through Thursday.
13:20We're also going to be seeing extended cold.
13:22These cold temperatures will last through the weekend.
13:27So that's important.
13:28The governor gave you tips on how to shovel.
13:30Start shoveling early.
13:32There isn't going to be a thaw over the course of the next week.
13:36So get that snow off of your sidewalk and out of your driveway as early as possible.
13:41Part of the state response, we have banned long tandem tractor trailers on the thruway starting at 6 a.m. this morning.
13:50And as the governor mentioned, on all state roads, commercial vehicles need to stay in the right-hand lane.
13:54In addition to the travel bans in Dutchess and Ulster County, individuals should check their local county's websites for any additional travel restrictions in their area.
14:06Long Island Railroad and Metro North are going to be operating on a Sunday service schedule, as will the Capital District Transportation Agency.
14:15If you are flying, please check ahead of time.
14:18This is a nationwide event.
14:19The weather will not only impact our flights, but it will impact flights coming from throughout the country.
14:25So make sure that you check before you go to the airport.
14:28We've already seen cancellations of up to 90 percent at different airports.
14:37To reiterate what the governor said, please stay home.
14:40Don't be on the roads.
14:42Allow DOT and thruway plow operators to do their job.
14:45Do not crowd the plow.
14:46If you have to travel, please check 511ny.org first.
14:52It is a great source of information on the status of the roads statewide.
14:57It will tell you where there are incidents, and you can look at traffic cameras as well and actually see the conditions of the roads for yourself.
15:06Continue to be prepared for the bitterly cold temperatures we've been experiencing.
15:10They're not going away.
15:12Hopefully, we won't see anything like we saw in Watertown or Copenhagen, but we are going to see sub-zero temperatures throughout the state over the course of the next few days.
15:24Code blue will remain in effect.
15:27So throughout the state, under the guidance of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, we will make sure that shelters are available to those who need them.
15:35Also, counties will stand up warming centers.
15:38If you do lose power, call 211, and they will tell you in your area where you can find a warming shelter.
15:46As the governor mentioned, we do not expect widespread power outages, but if you do experience a power outage, please call your utility company to report it.
15:56If you are going to be using alternative heating sources, make sure you do so safely.
16:02Make sure it is a UL-approved space heater.
16:06Keep it three feet away from any furniture, from drapes and the rest.
16:10If you are using a generator for power, never use a generator indoors, and do not keep it right outside your windows either.
16:17Please make sure your fire, smoke detector, and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
16:23And finally, if you are going to travel, and I have to tell my kids this all the time, they will get into their car after they heat it up, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, thinking I'm only driving a couple of miles to the gym.
16:36Have a jacket.
16:38Have a blanket.
16:39You need to be prepared to be stuck for a while.
16:42And also, make sure you can get yourself unstuck as well.
16:45Have a shovel.
16:46Have kitty litter in the car.
16:48Have something.
16:49If you have a truck, have a tow rope so that someone else can help you if you're stuck.
16:52Or you can help somebody if they're stuck.
16:55And most importantly, obey the move-over law.
16:58If you see our first responders out there, please move over if it is safely possible.
17:04Allow state police, other first responders, tow truck operators to do their job and to help others.
17:10And don't compound any issues that we may see.
17:12And with that, I'd like to say, Governor, thank you again for coming and joining us here today.
17:16I also want to acknowledge the presence of my incredible team as we get through this crisis.
17:24And I mentioned Marie-Therese Dominguez, the New York State Department of Transportation.
17:28She is a battle-tested veteran.
17:30We've been through many of these challenges before, and I'm so proud of the work that she and the men and women who work for her do as well.
17:37And Frank Hoare, the executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority, the lifeline of upstate New York connecting us with downstate,
17:45and how important it is to keep the commerce as well as the commuters and residents safe on those roads.
17:51So thank you, Frank.
17:52And also our state police out there day and night making sure that our roads are safe and that they're there to respond to any situation that requires additional help.
18:02And I want to thank Major Robert McConnell for his support here as well.
18:05Before we get to questions, I need to speak plainly about something that should stop every American in their tracks.
18:15Yesterday in Minneapolis, federal immigration agents killed another American citizen in broad daylight.
18:24His name was Alex Preddy.
18:26He was 37 years old.
18:29He was an ICU nurse, someone whose job was saving lives.
18:35Video shows him doing something he was trained to do, to help people.
18:41He was trying to reach over and help a woman in need when she was thrown to the ground by federal agents.
18:47And within seconds, federal agents threw him to the ground and fired a shot, not one, but a barrage of bullets into his body on a public sidewalk in America.
19:00The federal government claims the killing was justified.
19:05This nurse with nothing more than a cell phone in his hand, that he was trying to kill them.
19:12That's their story.
19:12But anyone who's seen this horrific video, multiple videos, knows that this is a shameless, bold-faced lie.
19:23This is not a threat that needed to be neutralized.
19:28It was a civilian exercising free right to protest.
19:34And this is a continuation of a deadly pattern, a pattern of violence.
19:41It was well known that earlier this month, federal agents also shot a mother of three in the face when she just extended a greeting to him.
19:53Two American families destroyed, confidence in federal law enforcement shattered.
20:00At the same time, ICE agents are arresting children.
20:11A five-year-old returning from preschool, using them as bait.
20:17A two-year-old taken on the way home from a grocery store with her dad.
20:20Now we have children caught up in armed engagement, scooped off the street by masked men, while our federal leaders feed the false narratives, instead of taking responsibility.
20:35But videos don't lie.
20:42And don't stop believing what your eyes tell you.
20:46Their cruelty, these incidences, what is going on and unfolding in the streets of America today, shocks the conscience of every human being with a heart.
20:58When federal agents use lethal force against civilians, and then prevent state authorities from fully investigating, it violates the basic principles of a democracy.
21:19What it does is makes everyone feel unsafe.
21:23Everyone.
21:23Nationwide, over the last 13 months, ICE has detained hundreds of U.S. citizens, and dozens of people have died in their custody.
21:37Now, Donald Trump's hand-pook leader of the Department of Homeland Security
21:42has proven to be unable and unwilling to follow the law to stop these killings.
21:50Kristi Noem has referred to these peaceful protesters as domestic terrorists, and lied about the shooting victims being the aggressors.
22:00She told law enforcement officers to put on masks and military fatigues to basically treat the American public as the enemy.
22:09She has shown profound disregard for human life, and created a culture where people feel unrestrained in how they're handling encounters with the people in this country.
22:27Kristi Noem has forfeited her right to lead, and I'm calling on her to resign as Secretary of Homeland Security,
22:33or Donald Trump to do the right thing and just fire her, and if not, she must be removed or impeached.
22:44And Gregory Bovina, who has helped lead and defend and escalate these operations, should also be fired.
22:49It's a shame I have to say this in America, but no one is above the law.
23:00No one.
23:01Not an ICE agent, not a federal officer, not the President of the United States.
23:06And make no mistake, when these people who have abused the power entrusted to them by their offices are finally out of power,
23:19states, including New York, will hold them accountable.
23:23I'll have more to report on further actions the state of New York will be taking in the upcoming days.
23:29I'll take any questions.
23:31Can I ask a question about a related question?
23:36Good morning, obviously, you've been through some of these big storms, I think, back a couple of years ago.
23:41The holiday storm in Buffalo, obviously, is a major one.
23:44That was really specific to that area, though.
23:47This is the first storm that you've seen really that is hitting the entire state.
23:51How much more difficult does it make it to prepare for a storm like that,
23:54knowing it goes from New York City to Buffalo and really beyond the entire North Beach?
23:59Certainly it is a challenge, because when you're deciding where to deploy all your resources,
24:04your utility crews, your extra plows, the personnel, additional state police,
24:08you have to look at the state as a whole.
24:11But I'm working with the most seasoned veterans you can imagine.
24:15They tabletop exercises like this all year long, even hot days of summer.
24:21They're thinking of these scenarios.
24:23And it is a worst-case scenario when every part of the state is vulnerable to these extreme, brutal colds,
24:30which are life-threatening, as well as the volume of snow that some parts of the state are not accustomed to dealing with.
24:37So it is a challenge, but not one that we haven't prepared for, that we prepared for in this specific event,
24:43having the early warning in advance of what is coming, getting the message out to New Yorkers
24:48on what they can do to keep themselves safe, and then we'll get through it.
24:52So I feel confident in the team that I have assembled to manage these storms.
24:56Hi, Ellen, Chris.
24:58Obviously, the thruway is only close to those tractor trailers, the tandem trailers right now,
25:02but when we look at if it's going to be necessary to potentially close into all the traffic.
25:07I'll let the executive director address that.
25:09It's something we always keep an eye on.
25:11I have been in so many emergency operations, you know, monitoring the snowfall on the thruway,
25:18how fast vehicles are going, you know, whether or not there's visibility.
25:21It is something we do intensely, and we want to keep motorists safe,
25:25but also make sure we can keep the flow of commerce going through our state
25:29because you also end up, when you close the thruway, there's a ripple effect on the adjoining roads,
25:36and you can create another situation.
25:38So you have to be very smart about when to do that.
25:41We've done both.
25:42We've made a decision to, with lots of restrictions, keep the traffic going.
25:47We've also had other times we've had to declare that it's just not safe and we have to shut it down.
25:51Frank, is there anything you want to add to that?
25:52Thank you, Governor.
25:53Just that safety is our paramount concern,
25:55and we're in constant communication with our partners in state and local government
26:00to ensure that the road will stay open, but in a safe and drivable manner.
26:06Anything else?
26:08All right, guys, thank you.
26:09All right, thanks, everyone.
26:12All right.
26:13All right, thanks.
26:14Thanks, everybody.
26:15All right.
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