The state of emergency covers Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wyoming counties. Hochul called the predicted forecast "a common lake effect storm" and said that preparedness is key.

Officials upstate New York are preparing for a major snowstorm that is forecasted to drop over two feet of snow.

As our winds shift to a west to south west direction, lake effect snow streamers will extend off of Lake Ontario and traverse through the North Country, reaching to the spine of the Green Mountains and beyond!