Thursday snow just a warmup for Saturday storm

PHOTOGRAPHER: Edward Munger Jr.

The unseasonable snowfall that hit the area Thursday was just a precursor for a storm expected to drop several inches of wet snow on the region Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for much of the region, lasting from noon Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday. Meteorologists are forecasting four to eight inches for much of the region, with as many as 10 inches or more possible in higher elevations, along with strong winds in the evening.

Authorities were warning residents in those higher elevations to be prepared for the chance of power outages, while state police issued an advisory with one main message for motorists: Slow down.

The storm is expected to start off as a mix of rain and snow in the late morning and then turn to all snow. Winds of five to 10 mph during the day are expected to increase to 15 mph during the evening, with gusts up to 25 mph. Temperatures are expected to range from a low of 28 degrees to a high of 36.

A total of 1.6 inches of snow fell at Albany International Airport on Thursday, the most that’s fallen there on Oct. 27 since at least 1974.

National Grid has been monitoring the weather in preparation for the chance crews will have to be mobilized, according to company spokesman Patrick Stella.

State officials held an emergency conference call today to coordinate storm preparations, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who urged residents to prepare.

Meteorologists said the weather is expected to clear up Sunday and should remain dry through Thursday.