Wintry Storm Could Cause Power Outages

Croton-on-Hudson and Ossining are under a Winter Storm Watch. Meteorologists are predicting anywhere from four to eight inches of snow. The National Weather Service says light snow and rain will start up Saturday morning. By the afternoon the snowfall could get heavy. The heavy, wet snow could also come with gusty 30 mph winds.

The snow is coming as people in Ossining and Croton begin adjusting to the colder temperatures. Last night we hit a low around 30°.

The National Weather Service is warning people about possible power outages and dangerous driving conditions. Meteorologists say the heavy, wet snow could cause tree limbs to fall on power lines. They are also warning drivers that there could be a dangerous snow, sleet or ice combination on the roads tomorrow.

The Ossining Highway Department is ready to take on the storm—and they even have a secret weapon. Highway Superintendent Michael G. O'Connor calls it the "shining star in their fleet." Donning the number "56" on the side—is the highway department's truck with a built in salt spreader. Having a built in salt spreader means that a separate salt spreader doesn't have to be dropped into the truck's bed, as they do with all of the other highway department trucks. Because the spreader is under the truck bed, that leaves the entire back of the truck open for salt storage—making for a truck that can hold a lot more salt than other trucks in the fleet.

While vehicle #56 may be ready to go, the other trucks in the fleet have to have their salt spreaders loaded into the trucks' beds. "Today we're going to have to hustle to get the spreaders into the trucks. We don't know what to expect tomorrow," said Ossining Highway Department Superintendent Michael G. O'Connor. "Our maintenance crew has been working on the plows—doing minor repairs. Most of the plows are in good shape. There's no real obstacles to getting the plow on the front of the trucks. Getting the spreader in the body of the truck—that takes a little more time."

The Highway Department says it's ready to take on tomorrow's wintry blast—and that they definitely have enough salt to get them through tomorrow's snow storm.

What do you think about this early wintry storm? Let us know how you feel about getting hit by Old Man Winter this early. Type your comment into the comment box below.