A low pressure area developed in the Mississippi valley by late on January 2. The storm tracked northward into the southern Ohio Valley, then rapidly redeveloped along the Mid Atlantic seaboard on January 3. From there, it moved northeast to just off the coast of Cape Cod by late on January 4.  With plenty of cold air in place the stage was set for another snowstorm across eastern New York. Although this storm was not as powerful as the Christmas Day storm, it moved very slowly allowing for a longer duration of snow and another blockbuster snowstorm across eastern New York. Light snow began falling early on the January 3, then it became heavier and steadier as the day wore on. A heavy band of snow formed over the Mohawk Valley, in a similar location to the storm on Christmas Day. This band weakened, but other more migratory ones over eastern New York produced bursts of heavy snow, up to 3 inches per hour, followed by lulls of lighter snow. Thundersnow was reported in the city of Gloversville. A lightning strike wiped out the electricity good part of the Gloversville-Johnstown Wastewater Treatment Facility. By the time the snow ended, a general 1 to 2 foot mantle of fresh snow covered eastern New York. Specific snowfall amounts included 20.8 inches at Albany, which made it the second greatest January snowstorm on record, and the 10th all time heaviest snowstorm ever. Also, it was the first season since 1887-88 that two storms of more than 20 inches were recorded at Albany during the same season. Other localities included 20.5 inches at Stuyvesant, Columbia County, 15.8 inches at Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, 17.0 inches at Indian Lake, Hamilton County, and 17.0 inches at North Creek, Warren County. Alcove Dam in Albany County, reported the highest amount with 24.6 inches. The heavy snow combined with the ice leftover from the previous storm, to bring down many large evergreen limbs and whole trees. The towns of Clifton Park, Guilderland, New Scotland and Delmar suffered the most tree damage. The large limbs and trees brought down many power lines, resulting in power losses to as many as 30,000 Capital District residents. An additional 1500 customers were without power in Greene County. The weight of the snow also caused some roofs to collapse. A portion of a factory roof collapsed in the city of Rotterdam, with no injuries reported. Another roof buckled at a warehouse at the Scotia-Glenville Industrial Park again with no injuries. A barn roof collapsed in Fort Plain, killing a couple of Holstein calfs located inside of that structure. The storm resulted in 15 cancellation of flights from the Albany International Airport. Many businesses and schools were forced to close early. The impact of this snowstorm was somewhat minimized by the fact that the majority of the snowfell fell during a weekend.

Winter Storm in WESTERN COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 15:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in WESTERN DUTCHESS, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Winter Storm in WESTERN GREENE, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 15:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in WESTERN RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in WESTERN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in WESTERN ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in EASTERN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 17:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in EASTERN ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in FULTON, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 16:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 100K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in HAMILTON, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 17:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 17:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in NORTHERN HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 16:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in NORTHERN SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 17:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 17:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 16:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 75K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in WARREN, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in WESTERN ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 100K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in EASTERN ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 100K
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Winter Storm in EASTERN COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 16:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in EASTERN DUTCHESS, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in EASTERN GREENE, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 16:00:00 (EST)
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Winter Storm in EASTERN RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 03-JAN-03 18:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 18:00:00 (EST)
Property damage: 25K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER