The Blizzard of 2026 in New York City, Tri-State area

"This is going to be a bad one," Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said at a briefing Sunday afternoon in anticipation for the weekend blizzard.

Heavy winds along the coast up to 60 mph are possible and will be hazardous, Lamont said. With the winds, down trees and power lines are possible, Lamont said.

The state has 800 snowplows at the ready ahead of the storm.

As a result of the weather, the governor warned that power outages are possible as well.

Gov. Lamont declared a State of Emergency earlier Sunday and signed an emergency order prohibiting vehicles from traveling on highways across the state, which will take effect starting at 5 p.m. tonight.

He's also ordering all State of Connecticut executive branch office buildings closed to the public on Monday.

For the duration of this storm-related closure, the governor is directing that:

- Level 1 executive branch state employees should report to work as scheduled or directed.
- Level 2 executive branch state employees should not report to work in-person to their state offices/work locations. Additionally:
- Level 2 employees who are scheduled to telework on Monday should do so or use their accrued leave; and
- Level 2 employees who are scheduled to report to work in-person to their state offices/work locations on Monday are requested, though not required, to telework, in accordance with the executive branch Telework Policy.

NJ Transit rail service will be suspended at 9 p.m.

In addition, the agency previously announced bus, light rail and access link services will be suspended beginning at 6 p.m.

A travel ban will also take effect at 9 p.m. Sunday, and end 7 a.m. on Monday.

Travel Restriction Details:

-All non-exempt vehicles are prohibited from operating on state, county, municipal, and interstate roadways during this period.
-The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.
-Violators may face penalties under state law.

Exemptions:

The travel restriction does not apply to:
- Emergency and public safety vehicles and personnel
- Public works and snow removal crews
- Public transportation vehicles and personnel
- Government officials conducting official business
- Utility company vehicles and personnel
- Healthcare workers and urgent medical travel
- Personnel supporting emergency shelter operations and human services facilities
- Delivery of critical medical supplies and services to healthcare facilities
- News media
- Private snow removal contractors
- Patients seeking urgent critical care and their escorts
- Travel necessary to maintain critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, fuel, food, pharmacies, and hardware stores
- Personnel supporting airline and airport operations

Governor Kathy Hochul warned residents Sunday afternoon that what New York is experiencing now is the "calm before the storm," and that "the worst is yet to come."

"Lives are at stake," Hochul said, warning that New York City may experience the "top ten worst winter storms in the last 150 years."

The Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island are expected to receive wet snow, which has the ability to take down power lines.

"Long Island and New York City and lower Hudson Valley are literally in the direct eye of the storm," Hochul said.

Local bans will be going into effect Sunday night, all of Long Island will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. starting Sunday night, Westchester County for 9 p.m. to 10 a.m., and New York City 9 p.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, the governor said.

When it comes to New York City subway service, the governor warned to "expect some disruptions." Subways are still expected to run, and trains will run locally.

Metro-North will run on a weekend schedule, and the LIRR will be suspected at 1 a.m. tonight.

"There is no way these predictions are wrong. It is coming, and it's going to be hard felt," the governor said.

The LIRR will temporarily suspend all service starting at 1:00 a.m. until weather conditions allow for safe resumption.

Officials said the suspension allows crews to focus on snow-clearing efforts from the blizzard, which includes projected extreme velocity winds on eastern Long Island, to provide safe and reliable service when possible.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, service will be reduced to hourly on the Port Jefferson, Port Washington branches, and half-hourly on the Babylon Branch.