Cuomo administration says storm 'routine blizzard'

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state Director of Operations Howard Glaser is urging New Yorkers to get off the roads Friday afternoon to avoid being stranded.

Enlarge image

Credit Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo

New York state Director of Operations Howard Glaser.

However, Glaser downplayed the storm's severity. He told WGDJ-AM in Albany that the storm is in some ways a "routine blizzard."

He says the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will keep mass transit operating in New York City to provide transportation in the city and to the suburbs.

Glaser advises New Yorkers to go home, charge their iPads and other electronic entertainment and wait the storm out until Saturday morning when it should end.

He says some roads may be closed early and advises motorists to get home and off the road before snow falls too fast to clear roads quickly.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.