OBSERVER File Photo

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday directed state agencies to mobilize emergency response assets as a major winter weather system will impact the state with two rounds of heavy snow, cold temperatures and ice.

All counties in the state are under a National Weather Service-issued weather advisory or warning through Tuesday as many locations are forecast to receive more than a foot of snow, while some areas could be impacted by a mixture of sleet and ice. Travel conditions could become extremely difficult at times, especially late Monday evening through Tuesday morning, when heavier snow could combine with gusty winds and cause blowing and drifting snow.

“This massive weather system is making its way across the country and ready to deliver a one-two punch of snow, ice and heavy winds across the entire state for the next two days,” Cuomo said. “Travel conditions could become extremely dangerous, and I’ve directed our emergency response personnel to get out ahead of this storm and help our local partners. New Yorkers should pay close attention to local weather forecasts and avoid all unnecessary travel.”

Locally, the weather service issued a winter storm warning that is in effect from 7 p.m. this evening to 1 p.m. Tuesday. Heavy snow is expected, with 7 to 14 inches of accumulation possible in some locations.

The National Weather Service office in Buffalo said the heaviest snowfall will arrive in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties around 8 p.m. this evening. The storm will then make its way northeast.

For Western and Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, the North Country, Capital Region, the Southern Tier, snow is forecast to occur in multiple rounds with most locations seeing either light snow or a mixture of sleet and snow during the day Monday with a switch to heavier snow late Monday evening into Tuesday morning.

Weather forecasters are tracking another widespread precipitation event for Thursday and Friday that could bring even more snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain to the state.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is encouraging eligible blood and platelet donors to make an appointment to give before travel conditions become hazardous or, for those in unaffected areas, to make an appointment to give as soon as possible to help restock the blood supply.

During times of inclement weather, road conditions and power outages often result in the cancellation of blood drives and a shortfall of blood and platelet donations. The Red Cross must collect more than 2,600 platelet and nearly 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.

“The need for blood does not get a snow day,” said Hanna Malak, Red Cross Western NY regional donor services executive. “It is the blood products already on the shelves that help save lives when severe weather hits.”

Eligible donors are asked to make an appointment to give blood or platelets before the approaching storm or in the days following, once it is safe to do so. To schedule an appointment to donate, please use the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Red Cross is also encouraging vigilance when it comes to personal safety and staying warm. Fires linked to home heating are a leading cause of home fire deaths. Tips on winter storm safety as well as home heating safety are below. More information on emergency preparedness can be found at www.redcross.org/prepare or by downloading the Red Cross Emergency App.