New York City is bracing for its first accumulating snowfall of the winter season as a storm system approaches the region this weekend. Forecasters say that while this will not be a major snow event, most of the city and surrounding areas are likely to see light to moderate snow beginning late Saturday night and continuing into early Sunday.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for New York City, Long Island and portions of New Jersey from late Saturday night through early Sunday afternoon. Snow is expected to begin after dark on Saturday and continue overnight, with the heaviest bursts of snow falling in the early morning hours.
Most forecast models now predict around one to three inches of snow across the five boroughs and the immediate metropolitan area. In some locations, especially parts of Long Island and southern Brooklyn and Queens, totals could reach as high as three to four inches by midday Sunday.
Temperatures will play a key role in how the storm unfolds. A surge of cold air associated with a weakening polar vortex is expected to settle into the Northeast this weekend, bringing temperatures below freezing as the snow begins. That means precipitation that might fall as rain at the coast early on Saturday night will quickly change to snow as the atmosphere cools.
City officials are preparing for the slick conditions that come with the first snow of the season. The Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert starting Saturday evening and will begin pre-treating roads with brine to help prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement. More than seven hundred salt spreaders are staged and ready to be deployed as snow accumulates on streets and highways.
Emergency Management has also activated its winter weather plan and is encouraging residents to be prepared for slippery travel conditions, especially early Sunday morning. Officials recommend allowing extra time for commutes, staying updated through city alerts, and watching sidewalks and bike lanes that may become icy.
Although this system is not expected to shut down the region, it could create challenging conditions for travel overnight and Sunday morning. Even a few inches of snow can make roads and pathways treacherous in areas that have not yet seen widespread winter weather this season.
After the snow ends, bitterly cold temperatures will persist through Sunday and into Monday, with highs struggling to rise above freezing. Once the storm system moves offshore, skies are expected to clear, leaving much of the metro area with a fresh winter scene to start the week.
