Storm Closes Schools, Knocks Out Power Across NY

Eastern New York could expect the snow to turn to sleet, rain and possibly freezing rain later in the day, the weather service said.

Forecasters said much of upstate New York could get sustained winds of 40-plus mph with gusts approaching 60 mph Wednesday evening and into Thursday.

Frank Figliomeni, owner of Professor Java's Coffee Sanctuary in suburban Albany, said the sloppy weather had not slowed down sales.

"I think it's actually been a little busier than normal. This area's pretty hearty," Figliomeni said. "We get a lot of people who like this kind of weather, who thrive on it."

Just north of New York City, overnight snow in Westchester County turned into a rainstorm by the Wednesday morning rush-hour. In Scarsdale, lighted Christmas stars swayed from light poles in the driving wind and rain.

"I saw a little snow this morning on my car. But by the time I woke up, it was raining," said Tanya Yi, 19. "This is very hard rain, but I'm happy it's not snow."

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Associated Press writers Jessica M. Pasko, Michael Hill and Rik Stevens in Albany, N.Y., and Jim Fitzgerald in Scarsdale, N.Y., contributed to this report.

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