Near white-out conditions have forced snowplows off the road in the Gouverneur area. Photo submitted by Ashley Brothers.

St. Lawrence County and many municipal highway departments are suspending snow removal operations in the most heavily affected areas in the south of the county, and the Sheriff’s Office is advising no travel in those areas.

Road conditions in the south of the county are snow covered with visibility at times of less than one-eighth of a mile, according to an alert from the sheriff. Significant snow accumulations along with whiteout conditions are creating dangerous travel conditions.

"Towns include any in the southern region including Edwards, Russell, Gouveneur and Star Lake," said Michael LeCuyer, director of emergency services for St. Lawrence County.

"Many plows have been pulled off the road due to abandoned vehicles in the road. We expect the storm to shift this afternoon and we will reevaluate the sitiation then" he said.

The alert says that one of the reasons snow removal crews are suspending their work is because of numerous vehicles abandoned in the roadways.

“At this time no travel other than for emergency purposes should occur in areas affected,” the alert says.

The Sheriff’s Office will be monitoring the storm and, should conditions change that would require additional measures to be put into place, they will advise the public.