Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger banned all non-essential vehicular travel on public roadways Sunday, Feb. 22, at 9 p.m., as Winter Storm Hernando threatened to bring over a foot of snow and wind gusts as high as 50 mph to the region.

The restriction, originally set to run through 10 a.m. Monday, was lifted early at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, after officials said road conditions had improved.

In an update issued Monday morning, Metzger rescinded the countywide travel restrictions, citing improved conditions. Roadways had become passable, and plow operations had progressed sufficiently to allow for the safe resumption of nonessential travel, according to the county. About 4 to 6 inches of snow fell across the county.

Under the order, residents had been prohibited from using public roads unless operating emergency vehicles or serving as designated essential personnel.

Officials said the storm was expected to severely affect travel conditions, slow snow removal operations, and strain emergency response capabilities across the county. Residents were urged to stay off the roads to allow plow crews to work safely and to avoid putting themselves or first responders in danger.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Ulster County, forecasting total snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and snowfall rates that could reach 2 inches per hour late Sunday night into early Monday morning.

In neighboring Greene County, a winter storm warning was in effect, though no travel restrictions had been announced.

More than 70 million people from the mid-Atlantic to New England were under some form of winter weather alert at the height of the storm.

Ulster County updates are available here. Storm response information is here.

Greene County updates can be found at the sign-up link here.