GLOVERSVILLE – A day before the start of spring, local residents today were running their snow blowers and pushing their shovels to clear snow from a storm that was expected to drop up to 10 inches by the end of the day.
The area had received 3 to 6 inches of snow from the storm as of this morning. Throughout the rest of the day, an additional 2 to 4 inches were expected, said Ian Lee, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albany.
However, he said the actual measurable snowfall may be less because the snow is compacting on the ground.
He said most of today’s snowfall would occur in the morning and into the afternoon before diminishing this evening. Temperatures were expected to be in the high 20s most of the day, Lee said.
“There could be some more lake- effect snow showers in your area throughout the remainder of the week,” Lee said.
Nearly all area schools closed today, including Gloversville, Broadalbin-Perth, Johnstown, Fonda-Fultonville and Amsterdam.
Montgomery County Undersheriff Jeffery T. Smith said two tractor-trailers got stuck on Route 30A in Fonda this morning, causing a traffic backup.
“That is an ongoing problem any time we have winter weather,” Smith said. “People just have to leave earlier, take their time and drive slow, and hopefully, this is the last storm we deal with for 2012-13.”
Fulton County Undersheriff Kevin Lenahan said his department received a few calls about cars off the road this morning.
“It must be getting a little slippery on the roads right now,” Lenahan said just after 9 a.m. “People should just be careful when traveling today because it is still coming down and we are supposed to get a few more inches throughout the day. Hopefully, it will stop and melt.”
“It is snowing faster than we can keep up with it at the moment,” Department of Public Works Director Kevin Jones said this morning.
He said the heaviest snow didn’t come until early morning, making snow removal more challenging today. He said his crews had been clearing streets since 4 a.m. and would be out again later tonight.
“It is probably irritating for the people that have to drive in it,” Jones said about the late-winter storm.
Gloversville Police Chief Donald VanDeusen said this morning no accidents had been reported because of the storm, but he advised people to continue to keep their vehicles off of the road so public works crews can keep the streets clear.
He advised motorists to give themselves enough time to get to their destinations.
National Grid reported no electrical-service outages in the area as of this morning.
The National Weather Service reported the storm is mostly affecting the eastern half of upstate New York, although weather advisories are in effect for some counties in western New York.
State police covering a four-county area east of the Hudson River said this morning they responded to more than 80 accidents and reports of disabled vehicles since the storm started around 6 p.m. Monday.
Saratoga was expected to receive about 8 inches of snow and Binghamton was expected to received about 3 inches, the weather service said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
