By Yisroel R.

A Blizzard Warning remains in effect for Rockland County as a powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds from Sunday night through Monday.

Light snow may continue through the day Sunday, with conditions turning moderate to heavy after 7 to 8 p.m. The most intense snowfall is expected between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., when rates could exceed one inch per hour. Snow will remain heavy overnight into Monday morning before gradually weakening late Monday morning and tapering off by early afternoon. Total snowfall is now projected to reach approximately 15 to 20 inches across the county.

Strong northerly winds will increase this evening, sustained at 25 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour overnight into Monday morning. Combined with falling and blowing snow, visibility may drop to near zero at times, creating blizzard conditions and making travel extremely dangerous.

Ramapo Highway Superintendent Fred Brinn, in a statement to Rockland Daily, said, “The highway department has been preparing all week in anticipation of this storm and blizzard that will continue Sunday into Monday. As of this morning, drivers and the entire department were called in early to load and prepare trucks. With light snow already falling, several drivers have gone out to check local roads and treat them as necessary. As the storm intensifies, all drivers will be dispatched to plow routes throughout unincorporated Ramapo and the villages we service.”

Officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the height of the storm. Residents are reminded not to park vehicles on the streets to allow plow trucks to properly clear the roads and avoid delays. Garbage cans and recycling bins should be removed from roadways and sidewalks. The Ramapo Police Department will be strictly enforcing street parking regulations and issuing tickets to vehicles left on the roadway.

Authorities continue to monitor conditions and advise residents to prepare for significant disruptions through Monday.