Above: Snow falling thick and fast at 11:40 a.m. in Margaretville at the WP HQ.
This winter isn't over yet. The National Weather Service in Albany is predicting that a "quick burst" of 1 to 3 inches of snow will fall in the eastern Catskills this afternoon -- specifically in Greene, Schoharie and Ulster counties. The snowfall rate will be heavy -- about an inch per hour.
It has already started snowing that hard in Margaretville. See our video above.
The precipitation may become freezing rain as the temperatures rise just above 32 degrees, according to Hudson Valley Weather:
There is a batch of precipitation headed our way, unfortunately the surface temps across most of the region have been very slow to rise. The onset of moderate to heavy precipitation may even drop temps a few degrees as well. This will lead to a heavy burst of snow for some, and a period of freezing rain for other. Please read the details on the slick travel that looks to develop across the region over the next few hours, and be aware that you may encounter widely varying conditions across the region.
This snow, as readers may have noticed already, is made up of a bunch of especially big, fat flakes. According to Hudson Valley Weather, that's because it's so warm:
Seeing lots of reports about how big the snow flakes are, this is because the air above the surface is above 32 degrees, this causes the snow flakes to partially melt on the way down. This allows multiple flakes to mend together on the way down, a good indicator of warmer air above the surface.
Read the full special weather statement from NWS Albany below:
Special Weather Statement issued February 19 at 11:31AM EST by NWS Albany
Activation Time: 02/19/14 11:31 AM
Expiration Time: 02/19/14 3:15 PM
Issued By: NWS Albany (Eastern New York and Western New England)
Affected Jurisdictions: Albany County (All)
Columbia County (All)
Dutchess County (All)
Greene County (All)
Rensselaer County (All)
Schoharie County (All)
Ulster County (All)Description: ...Quick Burst Of Moderate Snow Possible This Afternoon... As Of 1120 AM...An Area Of Moderate Snow Was Moving Into Portions Of The Eastern Catskills...Schoharie Valley...Greater Capital District And Mid Hudson Valley...And Will Continue Moving East Through The Early Afternoon Hours. Where Temperatures Are Initially Above Freezing Across The Mid Hudson Valley...Rain Will Quickly Transition To Snow As Temperatures Cool Back Below Freezing. A Quick One To Three Inches Of Snowfall Will Be Possible...Resulting In Hazardous Travel Conditions...Especially For Untreated Roadways. Additionally...Snowfall Rates Approaching One Inch Per Hour May Lead To Reduced Visibilities.
