A cold front moved across eastern New York and western New England on Wednesday, December 10th, ushering a cold airmass into the region. A low pressure system developed over the southeast states Wednesday and Wednesday night. This storm then headed northeast Thursday and Thursday night, December 11th, with precipitation spreading northward well in advance of the low. The low continued to track northeast, passing over the mid Atlantic region late Thursday night, and over the New York City Metropolitan area and southern New England Friday morning, December 12th. The low then moved to the Canadian Maritimes Friday night.
As the storm approached, warmer air moved in aloft, and with a cold airmass remaining in place at the surface, this set the stage for a significant mixed precipitation event. The precipitation came down heavy at times, especially Thursday night. Hourly precipitation rates of one quarter to one third of an inch were reported for several hours in the form of freezing rain across much of the region. Thunder was even reported in Glens Falls. The precipitation changed back to snow before ending by midday Friday. Total ice accretion from freezing rain ranged from around one half of an inch, up to one inch across portions of the Capital District and the Berkshires. North and west of the Capital District, including the Saratoga region and east central Mohawk Valley, temperatures were colder and frozen precipitation fell. Snow and sleet amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches just north and west of the Capital District, while up to 8 to 12 inches of snow and some sleet fell across portions of the southern Adirondacks.
The ice storm resulted in widespread damage to trees and resultant power outages across eastern New York, where an estimated 220,000 utility customers lost power. Many schools and businesses were shut down for several days due to the loss of power, and impassable roads from extensive fallen debris, resulting in significant economic and societal impacts. States of emergency were declared across large portions of eastern New York.  The hardest hit areas were within the immediate Capital District, across Albany and extreme southern Saratoga Counties, as well as across the central and southern Taconics, from central Rensselaer County into Columbia County and northern Dutchess County.
Bitterly cold temperatures followed in the wake of the storm Saturday and Sunday, compounding the power outages across the region. Numerous warming shelters were setup to assist those who were without power and heat.

Ice Storm in WESTERN RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.50 to 1.0 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines. Hardest hit areas included Poestenkill, East Greenbush, Brunswick, Averill Park and Troy.
Approximately 30 to 40 roads were closed across the county due to debris from fallen tree limbs and wires, which included Route 43 near Averill Park.

Ice Storm in EASTERN RENSSELAER, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.50 to 1.0 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines.
Numerous roads, at least 30 to 40, were closed across the county due to fallen trees, limbs and wires.

Ice Storm in SOUTHERN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 16:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A significant mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain occurred from Thursday evening, into midday Friday.
Snow and sleet accumulations of 2 to 5 inches, along with ice accretion of around one half inch, led to numerous reports of trees and power lines down, especially near Greenwich.

Winter Storm in HAMILTON, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 20:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow, mixed with some sleet and freezing rain, fell across Hamilton County from Thursday evening into midday Friday.
Snow and sleet amounts of 6 to 8 inches were reported, with 8 inches at Indian Lake, and 6 inches at Wells.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 20:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow, mixed with some sleet and freezing rain, fell across southern Herkimer County from Thursday evening into midday Friday.
Snow and sleet amounts of 7 to 11 inches were reported, with 10.5 inches in Herkimer, and 6.5 inches at Poland.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN WARREN, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Weather in NORTHERN HERKIMER, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 19:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three to six inches of snow fell across northern Herkimer County, beginning Thursday evening, and ending midday Friday.

Winter Weather in SOUTHERN FULTON, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three to six inches of snow and sleet fell across southern Fulton County, beginning Thursday evening, and ending midday Friday.

Winter Weather in MONTGOMERY, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two to five inches of snow and sleet fell across Montgomery County, beginning Thursday evening, and ending midday Friday.

Winter Weather in NORTHERN FULTON, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Four to eight inches of snow and sleet fell across northern Fulton County, beginning Thursday evening, and ending midday Friday.

Winter Weather in NORTHERN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 16:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Three to five inches of snow and sleet, along with up to one quarter of an inch of ice accretion from freezing rain fell across northern Washington County, beginning Thursday evening, and ending midday Friday.

Winter Storm in SOUTHEAST WARREN, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 16:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A significant wintry mix of snow, sleet and some freezing rain occurred from late Thursday afternoon, into midday Friday.
Snow and sleet accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches, in addition to ice accretion of up to one quarter of an inch from freezing rain.

Ice Storm in EASTERN ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to one inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines across the county.
The hardest hit areas included New Paltz and Kingston. Approximately 140 power lines were reported down across the county.

Ice Storm in NORTHERN SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A significant wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain fell, beginning Thursday afternoon, and ending midday Friday.
Snow and sleet accumulations of 3 to 6 inches fell.
In addition, freezing rain, with estimated accretions in excess of one half of an inch, led to numerous downed tree limbs, trees and power lines, especially in the vicinity of Corinth.

Ice Storm in WESTERN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.50 to 0.75 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines.

Ice Storm in EASTERN SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.50 to 1.0 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines. Hardest hit areas included Niskayuna and Schenectady.
In addition, a couple died in their home in Glenville as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator being used in their attached garage.  A female, age 61, was found dead in her bedroom, and the male, age 65, was passed out in the living room and then pronounced dead when brought to the hospital. The gas powered generator was being used in the attached garage due to power loss from the ice storm, when exhaust fumes then permeated into the home.
In addition, a structure was destroyed by fire in Schenectady, sparked by a downed electrical line from the ice storm. The structure, a market, was leveled after fire consumed the structure.

Ice Storm in SOUTHERN SARATOGA, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.50 to 1.0 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines. Hardest hit areas included Clifton Park and Halfmoon.
Several trees were also reported down alongside the Adirondack Northway, Interstate 87, between exits 9 and 11.

Ice Storm in WESTERN ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.50 to 1.0 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines. Hardest hit areas included South Berne and Knox.

Ice Storm in EASTERN ALBANY, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.50 to 1.0 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines. Hardest hit areas included Albany, Colonie, Delmar and Cohoes.
One tree limb fell onto a car windshield in Cohoes, and numerous power lines and large tree branches were reported down between Colonie and Menands.

Ice Storm in SCHOHARIE, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Significant ice accretion from freezing rain of 0.75 to just under 1 inch led to widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines across the county.
The hardest hit areas were near Gilboa, North Blenheim and Cobleskill.

Ice Storm in WESTERN GREENE, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to three quarters of an inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines.
The hardest hit areas included Halcott Center and Prattsville.

Ice Storm in EASTERN GREENE, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to three quarters of an inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines.
The hardest hit areas included Coxsackie and Athens.

Ice Storm in WESTERN DUTCHESS, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to one inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines across the county.
Hardest hit areas included Red Hook and Salt Point. At least 12 roads were closed across the county due to fallen debris.

Ice Storm in EASTERN DUTCHESS, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to one inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines across the county.

Ice Storm in WESTERN ULSTER, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to one inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines across the county.
The Town of Rochester was under a state of emergency due to numerous downed trees, tree limbs and power lines.

Ice Storm in WESTERN COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to one inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines across the county. Higher elevations across central portions of the county were hardest hit.

Ice Storm in EASTERN COLUMBIA, NEW YORK
From 11-DEC-08 13:00:00 to 12-DEC-08 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Ice accretion from freezing rain of one half to one inch occurred, resulting in widespread downed trees, tree limbs and power lines across the county. Higher elevations across central portions of the county were hardest hit.