By now, many are preparing for a large winter storm this weekend. The storm that arrived Thursday night in Albany was much weaker than what's expected. Most areas will see a coating to a few inches of snow before snow tapers late Friday morning.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the area from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. A widespread heavy snowfall is expected from the Capital Region points north.

Snow will begin Saturday evening and pick up in intensity through the night. Most areas are expected to see upwards of a foot of snow by Sunday evening, making travel dangerous to near impossible at times.

Freezing rain and sleet will make for even icier travel and possibly even some power outages for areas south of Albany.

"While New Yorkers are no strangers to snow, I am urging everyone to be cautious over the next several days as current forecasts are calling for the most significant snowfall so far this winter," Governor Cuomo said in a release. "All of New York’s transportation and public safety agencies are monitoring these storms closely and are prepared to immediately assist any community that needs help."

GENERAL ROAD AND STREET CLOSURES

Governor Cuomo has announced no tractor trailers and buses are allowed on the entire Thruway system, with the exception of I-95 in Westchester and Bronx counties. The ban takes effect Saturday at 3 p.m. and stays in effect throughout the storm. 

Washington County:

  • Travel advisory but does not ban travel.
  • No unnecessary travel should be had.
  • Advisory is in effect from 6:30 p.m. Saturday until "at least" 12 p.m. Sunday. 

City of Rensselaer:

  • A snow emergency begins Saturday at 8 p.m.
  • No parking will be allowed on the odd side of the streets for 24 hours, after which there will be no parking on the even side of the street.
  • Vehicles in violation of this "local law" will be subject to ticketing and/or towing.
  •  Anyone requiring further information can call the police department at 518-462-7451.

Town of Adams:

  • The snow emergency begins Saturday at 5 p.m. until Sunday 5 p.m.
  • During which, no vehicles are allowed to park on the streets.
  • Any violators are subject to being towed.
  • The town by-law prohibiting any person to shovel, plow, push, or throw snow out into the streets, will be enforced. 

City of Cohoes:

  • The snow emergency begins 7 a.m. Saturday, on which there will be no parking on the odd side of the street for 24 hours.
  • On Sunday, beginning 7 a.m., there will be no parking on the even side of the street for 24 hours. Any vehicles who do not follow suit will be subject to ticketing and towing.
  • Residents living on one-way streets with parking only on one side, are allowed to park on the opposite side, so long as it obeys with the snow emergency. 

Johnstown:

  • There is a snow emergency with a parking ban beginning Saturday at 6 p.m. and ending Monday at 6 a.m.

Town of East Greenbush:

  • The town has declared a snow emergency from Saturday 12 p.m. until Monday at 6 a.m.
  • There will be no parking on public roads in the town for the duration of that time.
  • Vehicles parked on public roads may be ticketed and towed.
  • All trash cans and refuse containers should be at least four feet from the edge of the pavement. 

Village of Menands:

  • The village has declared a snow emergency effective 5 p.m. on Saturday.
  • Vehicles are required to be removed from the streets by that time and "must" stay off the streets until the snow emergency is lifted.
  • Off-street parking is available at the Menands Public Library, Menands Park, and the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society upper parking lot, adjacent to Broadway and Channel 13 parking lot.
  • Violators may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.
  • Anyone with questions or concerns is advised to call the Menands Police Department at 518-463-1681.

Town of Brunswick:

  • The town has declared a snow emergency starting 5 p.m. Friday until Tuesday at 5 p.m.
  • Residents are being asked to park in their driveways and not in the streets. Any vehicles in violation will be ticketed and/or towed says the town.

Village of Scotia:

  • The village has declared a snow emergency, leading to a parking ban which will be in effect on all streets and in the municipal lot from 12 a.m. Sunday until 12 p.m. Monday.
  • Any violators may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

Town of Lenox, MA:

  • The town has declared a snow emergency starting Saturday at 7 p.m. and continuing through to Sunday at 5 p.m.
  • Any vehicles parked on any street town wide will be towed at the owner's expense for snow removal purposes. 

City of Saratoga Springs:

  • A snow emergency will begin Saturday at 9 p.m.
  • Starting 9 a.m. Sunday, all vehicles on the city streets must be moved every 12 hours and thereafter until 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
  • Unless a street has a posted sign for alternate parking, it is being called unlawful to park or stand a motor vehicle for any continuous period of time that goes over 12 hours.
  • All vehicles in violation of the city's snow emergency parking regulations are subject to being ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense. 

Town of Waterford:

  • There is a snow emergency for all town roads.
  • The emergency begins 12 p.m. Saturday and continues "until further notice."
  • All residents are asked to park in their driveways and to follow the alternate parking signs. Those who do not follow the signs and snow emergency protocol, will be ticketed and towed.
  • Anyone with questions is asked to call the Town Highway Garage at (518) 235-3413.

Village of Waterford:

  • There is a snow emergency in effect from 12 p.m. Saturday until all streets have been cleared.
  • Any vehicles not moved or who are "interfering" with snow plowing operations in the streets or parking lot, will be towed at the owner's expense.
  • Alternate side parking is not in effect in the Village of Waterford.
  • Anyone with questions is asked to call the Village office at 235-9898.

Town of Schodack:

  • The town will be in a snow emergency starting Saturday at 6 p.m. to Monday at 6 a.m.
  • No street parking is permitted during that time, and violators might be towed. 

City of Glens Falls:

  • The city will be under a snow emergency beginning 12 a.m. Sunday until 8 a.m. Monday. 
  • Vehicle travel is discouraged and motorists are prohibited from parking on city streets, so as to allow plow crews to clear the snow. 
  • As well, Greater Glens Falls transit buses will delay their start of all services on Monday until 10 a.m. All other updates or changes will be on their website

Town of Rotterdam:

  • The Highway Department declared a snow emergency beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday and ending 6 p.m. Monday.
  • They say there will no cars or items allowed on Town roads during that time.
  • Any cars parked will be ticketed and towed according to the Highway Superintendent Larry LaMora. 

Cobleskill:

  • Cobleskill's Police Department will be out on patrol during the storm.

Village of Catskill:

  • No parking on Main Street, from Greene Street to Summit Avenue, each evening beginning Saturday, January 19, at 11 p.m.
  • Starting Saturday at 8 p.m., all vehicles are asked to be parked on the odd side of the street from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. At which point vehicles should then be parked on the even side of the street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
  • Vehicles should switch sides of the street every 12 hours, until the snow emergency is cancelled.

City of Amsterdam:

  • City of Amsterdam will declare a snow emergency effective 12 p.m. Saturday.
  • All motor vehicles should be removed from the city's streets by that time, until the emergency is lifted.  

Town of Petersburgh:

  • Deputy Highway Superintendent Adam Beaudry is asking for residents to restrict travel beginning from 6 p.m. through to Sunday evening.
  • Road crews will be out at that time and residents are asked to ensure vehicles are not parked in the roadways.

CITY OF AMSTERDAM SNOW UPDATES

The Amsterdam Police Department sent out a press release Thursday morning. It details the City of Amsterdam will declare a snow emergency effective 12 p.m. Saturday. The emergency asks that all motor vehicles should be removed from the city's streets by that time, until the emergency is lifted.  

Anyone with questions or concerns is advised to call the Amsterdam Police Department at 842-1100.

The press release also detailed a list of city owned parking lots:

  • City Hall
  • Post Office Lot
  • Guy Park Ave. Ext. (Kirk Douglas parking)
  • Golf Course Lot
  • Vet’s Field (upper field along Locust Ave. Roosevelt Rd. and the road to the pool building.
  • Morris St. Parking Lot
  • East Main & DeGraff (both lots)
  • Between Vrooman & Lefferts (behind Art Center)
  • Eagle & East Main Street (lot)
  • Dean & East Main Streets (lot)
  • 47 Reid Street Lot
  • Milton Ave. between 1st & 2nd Ave.
  • Prospect Street (Upper, near Elizabeth St.)
  • Chestnut & Lincoln (basketball court lot)
  • Bunn & Thomas St. (lot)
  • Greene & Mechanic St. (lot)
  • Union & Orange St. (lot)
  • Union St. (between Brandt & McDonnell lot)
  • Clinton & Division St. (lot)
  • Bridge St. (next to bakery)
  • 197 Florida Ave. (lot)
  • Pedestrian Bridge Lot/Chalmers
  • Church Street & Willow Street (Park & Ride Lot)
  • Main Street (next to old Key Bank Building)
  • Grove Street – EASTERN SIDE ONLY       
  • Minaville Street (Lot)

VILLAGE OF CATSKILL

The Catskill Police Department took to Facebook Thursday afternoon to warn of the snow emergency. 

The post says the parking snow removal plan for the Village of Catskill will be launched on Saturday at 8 p.m. All vehicles are asked to be parked on the odd side of the street from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. At which point vehicles should then be parked on the even side of the Village street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Vehicles, the department says, should continue to switch sides of the street every 12 hours, until the snow emergency is cancelled. Parking enforcement will be in effect until all snow is removed from the streets. 

The post also says starting Saturday from 11 p.m. until 8 a.m., there will be no parking on Main Street from Greene Street to Summit Avenue each evening. This, the department says, is to ensure Main Street is one of the first streets to be cleared. 

"Residents who usually park on Main Street should utilize the municipal parking lots," the post said. "Any vehicle parked on the roadway in violation of Article 6 Section 103, subdivision two of the Village of Catskill parking regulations which hinder the removal of snow, will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense."

The department asks anyone with questions to call them at 943-2244. 

TOWN OF PETERSBURGH

The Town of Petersburgh took to Facebook to declare an emergency snow removal service. Deputy Highway Superintendent Adam Beaudry is asking that residents "please" restrict travel beginning 6 p.m., through to Sunday evening.

Road crews will be out at that time, and ask for vehicles to not be parked on roadways. They say residents can expect up to three inches of snow an hour.

TOWN OF WATERFORD

The Highway Department declared a snow emergency for all town roads from noon Saturday until further notice. All town residents are asked to park in their driveways and to follow all posted alternate parking signs. For more information, call the town highway garage at (518) 235-3413.

COBLESKILL

The Cobleksill Police Department advised via Facebook for residents to drive only when necessary. They say they will be on patrol during the storm, and are taking calls for any unsafe conditions. 

TOWN OF ROTTERDAM

The Highway Department declared a snow emergency beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday and ending 6 p.m. Monday. They say there will no cars or items allowed on Town roads during that time. Any cars parked will be ticketed and towed according to the Highway Superintendent Larry LaMora. 

CITY OF GLENS FALLS

The city will be under a snow emergency beginning 12 a.m. Sunday until 8 a.m. Monday. During the emergency, Assistant to the Mayor Michael J. Mender says vehicle travel is discouraged, and motorists are prohibited from parking on city streets — so as to allow plow crews to clear the snow. As well, Greater Glens Falls transit buses will delay their start of all services on Monday until 10 a.m. All other updates or changes will be on their website

TOWN OF SCHODACK

The Superintendent of Highways Kenneth J. Holmes says the town will be in a snow emergency starting Saturday at 6 p.m. to Monday at 6 a.m. No street parking is permitted during that time, and violators, Holmes says, might be towed. 

TOWN OF WATERFORD

The Town of Waterford Highway Department declared a snow emergency for all their town roads. The emergency begins 12 p.m. Saturday and continues "until further notice." All residents are asked to park in their driveways and to follow the alternate parking signs. Those who do not follow the signs and snow emergency protocol will be ticketed and towed according to the Highway Department Superintendent Harry Martel Highway. Anyone with questions is asked to call the Town Highway Garage at (518) 235-3413.

VILLAGE OF WATERFORD

Mayor J. Bert Mahoney says a snow emergency will be in effect from 12 p.m. Saturday until all streets have been cleared. He advises any vehicles not moved or who are "interfering" with snow plowing operations in the streets or parking lot, will be towed at the owner's expense. Alternate side parking is not in effect in the Village of Waterford. Anyone with questions is asked to call the Village office at 235-9898.

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS

The Department of Public Works says in accordance with City Code Section 225-57, a snow emergency will begin Saturday at 9 p.m. Starting 9 a.m. Sunday, all vehicles on the city streets must be moved every 12 hours and thereafter until 9 a.m. Tuesday. Unless a street has a posted sign for alternate parking, it is being called unlawful to park or stand a motor vehicle for any continuous period of time that goes over 12 hours, according to the department. The department also advises that all vehicles in violation of the city's snow emergency parking regulations are subject to being ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense. 

TOWN OF LENOX

The town has declared a snow emergency starting Saturday at 7 p.m. and continuing through to Sunday at 5 p.m. Chief of the Lenox Police Department, Stephen E. O'Brien says any vehicles parked on any street town wide will be towed at the owner's expense for snow removal purposes. 

VILLAGE OF SCOTIA

The village has declared a snow emergency, leading to a parking ban which will be in effect on all streets and in the municipal lot from 12 a.m. Sunday until 12 p.m. Monday. Chief of the Scotia Police Department Pete Frisoni says any violators may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

TOWN OF BRUNSWICK

The town has declared a snow emergency starting 5 p.m. Friday until Tuesday at 5 p.m. Residents are being asked to park in their driveways and not in the streets. Any vehicles in violation will be ticketed and/or towed says the town.

VILLAGE OF MENANDS

The village has declared a snow emergency effective 5 p.m. on Saturday. Vehicles are required to be removed from the streets by that time and "must" stay off the streets until the snow emergency is lifted. Off-street parking is available at the Menands Public Library, Menands Park, and the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society upper parking lot, adjacent to Broadway and Channel 13 parking lot. The Menands Police Department says violators may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense. Anyone with questions or concerns is advised to call the Menands Police Department at 518-463-1681.

TOWN OF EAST GREENBUSH

Ordered by the Commissioner of Public Works, the town has declared a snow emergency from Saturday 12 p.m. until Monday at 6 a.m. There will be no parking on public roads in the town for the duration of that time, according to the Commissioner. Vehicles parked on public roads may be ticketed and towed, and the Commissioner asks for all trash cans and refuse containers to be at least four feet from the edge of the pavement. 

JOHNSTOWN

Mayor Jackson has declared a snow emergency with a parking ban beginning Saturday at 6 p.m. and ending Monday at 6 a.m.

CITY OF COHOES

Mayor Shawn Morse has declared a snow emergency. It begins 7 a.m. Saturday, on which there will be no parking on the odd side of the street for 24 hours. On Sunday, beginning 7 a.m., there will be no parking on the even side of the street for 24 hours. Any vehicles who do not follow suit will be subject to ticketing and towing. Morse says residents that live on one-way streets with parking only on one side are allowed to park on the opposite side, so long as it obeys with the snow emergency. "The Mayor is asking all residents to be Cohoes Proud and remember to shovel out fire hydrants in the vicinity of their property and please make sure your sidewalks are clear of snow and ice," Morse said. 

TOWN OF ADAMS

The Town of Adams Police Department of Public Works issued a snow emergency beginning Saturday at 5 p.m. until Sunday 5 p.m. During which, no vehicles are allowed to park on the streets. Any violators are subject to being towed, according to the department. The department will also be enforcing the town by-law prohibiting any person to shovel, plow, push, or throw snow out into the streets. 

CITY OF RENSSELAER

Mayor Richard J. Mooney declared a snow emergency beginning Saturday at 8 p.m. No parking will be allowed on the odd side of the streets for 24 hours, after which there will be no parking on the even side of the street. Vehicles in violation of this "local law" will be subject to ticketing and/or towing, according to the mayor. Anyone requiring further information can call the police department at 518-462-7451.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy has issued a travel advisory for Washington County but does not ban travel. The Sheriff does recommend no unnecessary travel should be had. The no travel unless necessary advisory is in effect from 6:30 p.m. Saturday until "at least" 12 p.m. Sunday. Conditions are expected to worsen through the night and into tomorrow with dangerously low temperatures and wind chills. Snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible. High winds are also expected which can cause snow drifts making roads impassable. In the event that travel is essential, motorists should do so with extreme caution taking the weather conditions into consideration," Murphy said.


FOR MORE WATCHES AND WARNINGS, CLICK HERE.