The Capital Region can expect a foot of snow, falling at one to two inches an hour on Saturday night, and continuing into Sunday, said Governor Kathy Hochul at a press conference on Friday.

“But here’s the good news — we’re prepared …,” she said. “We have over 5,000 utility crews standing on guard to manage the situation if any power lines come down, especially when the ice hits the trees, the limbs bring them down. And also, it’s a dangerous situation beyond the roads if it ends up being a full-fledged ice storm. 

“We also are pre-positioning all of our DOT and Thruway personnel and equipment. Over 3,600 individuals are now ready … We also have our stockpile of cots and generators and all the things we'd have to have in the event that a community needs to have a warming shelter.”

For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at https://alerts.weather.gov. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert at https://alert.ny.gov, a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

The National Weather Service on Friday afternoon had both eastern and western Albany County listed for a winter Storm Watch, which is sent to expire on Sunday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m.

“So,” the governor concluded, “it’s coming. It’s coming. It’s coming. You’ve all missed it, but stay tuned for the weather to shift rather dramatically this weekend.”

— Melissa Hale-Spencer