Albany, New York – The Capital Region experienced an unexpected Thanksgiving Day snowstorm after a decade-long hiatus. Initially forecasted for rain, the Albany area saw a sudden drop in temperatures, resulting in heavy, wet snowfall accumulation ranging from 2 to 6 inches along the I-87 corridor.
The National Weather Service in Albany reported that Albany International Airport accumulated 3.7 inches of snow. The highest snowfall, however, was recorded in Knox, within the Albany County Hilltowns, with 10.5 inches. Schenectady and Saratoga counties also reported totals ranging from 6 to 8.5 inches.
Despite the initial surprise, more snow was expected in the evening north of the Thruway. This sudden change caught many off guard, leading to sporadic power outages reported by National Grid and New York State Gas and Electric, mostly in areas west of Albany and within the Catskills.
A winter weather advisory was issued for the immediate Albany area along the I-87 corridor, while northern Saratoga County, western Schenectady, and Albany counties, alongside higher elevations in eastern Rensselaer County, were placed under a winter storm warning.
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple warned residents of potentially slippery roads even though the storm wasn’t predicted to be a “blockbuster.” As the storm drew moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, the heavy precipitation was expected to end by 8 p.m. The concern was the rapid shift to colder temperatures and winds during the evening.
Governor Kathy Hochul mentioned lake-effect snow warnings for the days following Thanksgiving through Monday, especially in portions of western and central New York and the North Country. Areas downwind of lakes Erie and Ontario could possibly see total accumulations of 3 to 4 feet.
This snowstorm marked the first significant Thanksgiving Day snowfall since 2014, when a storm dumped 10.4 inches of snow in the Albany area. The unexpected snowfall served as a reminder of the unpredictability of weather patterns in the region, urging residents to exercise caution while traveling and enjoy the holiday safely.