Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared a state of emergency in the seven Capital Region and Hudson Valley counties most affected by inclement weather.

The declaration covers Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga and Ulster counties. More than 300 members of the National Guard will help with snow removal in those counties.

"Our state is no stranger to this type of extreme winter weather and these additional measures will be critical in our efforts to keep all New Yorkers safe throughout the remainder of this storm," Cuomo said.

The slow-moving, two-day storm dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas and slowed the Monday morning commute for those who were able to extricate their vehicles from streets and driveways.

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Several crashes, including a jack-knifed tractor trailer on the Berkshire Connector, slowed commutes throughout the region for employees who did head to work. The Colonie Center and Viaport in Rotterdam closed for the day. Holiday Lights in the Park also closed for Monday evening. Smaller business through out the area closed early or didn't open at all, leaving city streets empty.

Joyce Bassett / Times Union

Several cities and towns, including Albany, Saratoga Springs and Troy have declared their own snow emergencies, and most non-essential employees are being directed to stay home — Cuomo on Sunday gave all non-essential state workers Monday off. Colonie is asking all residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to avoid parking on the streets. Schenectady County declared a state of emergency at noon on Monday, asking residents not to travel until Tuesday morning.

Albany's snow emergency will begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday. All vehicles must be parked on the even-numbered side of the street. At 8 p.m. Wednesday, all vehicles must be parked on the odd-numbered side of the street for the following 24-hour period. (Vehicles may begin to park on the odd-numbered side of the street beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday.)

Mayor Kathy Sheehan said crews had been out since the storm started but the challenge was the storm's duration.

"We've been able to keep most of the roads passable but it is still treacherous out there," she said. "Until the snow stops we're not able to go in and begin our removal operations."

Sheehan and Albany police Chief Eric Hawkins asked drivers to watch for pedestrians walking in the streets because of snow-covered sidewalks.

Troy also declared a snow emergency, suspending normal parking rules beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Drivers are asked to park their cars on the even side of streets for 24 hours and then switch to the odd side of streets for 24 hours on Wednesday. A map of available parking lots during a snow emergency is available at www.troyny.gov/snow-emergency.

The village of Menands' snow emergency began at 5 p.m. Sunday and bars all parking on village streets. Limited parking is available at Ganser Smith Park, Menands Library, 800 North Pearl Street Lot and the North Side of the Village Garage.

If you are parked on the wrong side of the street during the snow emergency, your vehicle will be ticketed and may be towed.

In Green Island, all cars must be off city streets by 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Watervliet declared a snow emergency starting 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Any vehicle on city streets that is not moved by the time plows arrive or at the request of police will be ticketed and towed, according to the city.

Saratoga Springs’ snow emergency went into effect at 9 a.m. Monday and will remain in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday. All vehicles must be moved to a cleared or plowed area every 12 hours. City streets with alternate side parking are not impacted and cars should be moved in accordance with the posted guidelines. All non-emergency functions of city government were shut Monday.

Flights and bus rides are being canceled and delayed as well. However, Capital District Transportation Authority bus lines are running but riders should expect delays and should check the CDTA Navigator app.

Times Union meteorologist Jason Gough reported that Monday afternoon and evening could bring fresh snowfall to the region, as well as sleet to the south.