Regional snowfall proves much lower than anticipated

BY MICHAEL RICONDA

NEW CITY – The much-discussed “historic” blizzard predicted for the Northeast proved much milder than expected, at least for Rockland County.

As the storm passed the Lower Hudson Valley region, only moderate snowfall was reported for Rockland, Westchester, Putnam and Orange Counties. According to the National Weather Service, the most affected areas of Rockland accumulated barely a third of a foot of snow, with much less in most of the towns.

Snowfall totals reached a high of 4.3 inches in New City. Congers received the next highest snowfall at 3.1 inches, while Chestnut Ridge followed close behind at 3 inches and Stony Point gathered a meager 2.2 inches.

Sporadic snow showers are expected until around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Though the bulk of the snowfall accumulated overnight, one to three more inches of accumulation remain possible and a winter weather advisory remains in effect for the region.

Regardless of the paltry regional snowfall, roads were coated in fresh powder and remain slick. All public schools and colleges in the county have closed their doors for the day, though Town Halls in Clarkstown, Orangetown, Ramapo and Stony Point will all remain open for emergency purposes.

Other areas in the Hudson Valley received more snowfall, but nowhere near the larger predictions for the region. Westchester received more of a pummeling, with 9.5 inches reported in Bronxville and 6 inches in Mount Kisco.

Northern New Jersey also received slightly more snowfall. In Bergen County, a high of 6.8 inches was reported in East Rutherford, while Ridgewood received 3.5 inches and Midland Park received 3.2.

Further north, blizzard and winter storm warnings remain in effect for much of New England, particularly Connecticut, Eastern Massachusetts, and coastal regions of Maine. Within the tri-state region, Connecticut appears to have received the worst of the storm, with New London reporting a regional high of almost two feet.