Power outages feared as dangerous winds, snow squalls hit Albany

On Mar 1, 2021

March 1, 2021Updated: March 1, 2021 8:25 a.m.

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A wind storm packing guts of up to 60 mph could hit the Albany area later Monday. The National Service in Albany predicts the winds could cause isolated power outages. In this photograph, a National Grid lineman is seen working on a power line along Western Avenue in Guilderland on Oct. 8, 2020. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)

Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union

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A wind storm packing guts of up to 60 mph could hit the Albany area later Monday. The National Service in Albany predicts the winds could bring down trees and limbs, causing isolated power outages. In this undated photograph, a pine tree crashed into a home on Winnie Road in Bethlehem.

Thomas Heffernan Sr. / Special to the Times Union

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ALBANY — Punishing winds are expected to move into the Capital Region, potentially causing power outages on Monday, meteorologists predict.

The arrival of a storm packing wind gusts of up to 60 mph around Albany could bring down trees and power lines, according to the National Weather Service.

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The winds will blow in with an arctic cold front the National Weather Service expects with bring a vicious mix of powerful gusts, snow squalls and brutal wind chills.

The agency’s meteorologists predict wind gusts should rise into the 40-to-50 mph range in much of the Capital Region and upper Hudson Valley but they warn the number could reach 60 mph around Albany. The cold front will bring sustained winds in the 25-to-30-range, meteorologists said.

The weather services says the winds will cause isolated power outages.

Much of the Capital Region and Mohawk Valley are under a wind warning, which begins at 1 p.m. and is expected to last until 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Winds will be picking up today and will become especially strong tonight. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph will result in downed trees and power outages are expected. Here’s a look at the expected top wind gusts and where High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories are in effect. pic.twitter.com/kz5iGVTPJx

— NWS Albany (@NWSAlbany) March 1, 2021

The weather service warns that unsecured objects could be thrown around with the wind.

Active weather continues into Tuesday as an arctic cold frontal passage brings strong, gusty winds, snow squalls and brutal wind chills to the region. A Wind Advisory has been issued for portions of the area. Stay weather aware and get the latest updates: https://t.co/6gA5ky0lw9 pic.twitter.com/78vViNNSuE

— NWS Albany (@NWSAlbany) February 28, 2021

In addition to the wind, meteorologist warn drivers could be blinded by scatter snow squalls that should hit the region during the evening. The snow will cause a sharp reduction in visibility and could quickly drop up to an inch of snow, making driving difficult.