Winter Storm Warning Issued for New York City and Tri-State Area
A powerful winter storm is poised too bring significant snowfall to New York city and the surrounding Tri-State area, prompting a Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service. The storm, expected to arrive Friday evening and continue through Saturday morning, is currently forecast to be the most ample snowfall event of the season thus far.
The National Weather Service has placed a large portion of the New York City metropolitan area, northern New Jersey, and southern Connecticut under the warning. residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for hazardous travel conditions.For the latest official advisories, watches, and warnings, visit the National Weather Service website [here](link to NWS advisories).
The approaching storm has triggered an AccuWeather Alert from Eyewitness News for Friday and Saturday. Its origins lie in the series of potent storms impacting California this week. According to reports, energy from those systems will converge with frigid Arctic air descending from the Midwest, creating a formidable weather system as it moves toward the East Coast.
The heaviest snowfall is anticipated between 8 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday. While the intensity will diminish rapidly after that, lighter snowfall is expected to continue into Saturday midday, with minimal additional accumulation. A senior official noted the possibility of brief breaks in the storm to the north. At its peak, the storm could produce snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, coupled with reduced visibility, making travel exceptionally hazardous.
New York City Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory for Friday evening through Saturday. Both Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul are imploring New Yorkers to exercise extreme caution if travel is unavoidable.
Current snowfall projections indicate a widespread area of 4 to 8 inches,including New York City. However, the heaviest bands are likely to concentrate across the Catskills, Poconos, northern New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley, where accumulations could reach 8 to 12 inches. A significant uncertainty remains regarding the potential for these heavier bands to shift into New York city and western long Island.
South of Interstate 78 in new Jersey,a mix of sleet and snow is expected to reduce snowfall totals to between 2 and 4 inches. Eastern Long Island and eastern Connecticut are also forecast to receive lesser amounts due to the intrusion of drier air.
By late Saturday morning, the snow is likely to transition to a wintry mix in New York City as the storm winds down. Despite the tapering snowfall, hazardous travel conditions may persist. Temperatures will remain cold on Saturday, struggling to surpass the freezing mark, limiting any significant melting.
Looking ahead,temperatures are expected to rise into the 40s on Sunday,accompanied by rain and an icy mix to the north and west. However, this brief respite will be short-lived, as an Arctic blast is forecast to arrive in the early days of 2025.
this is a developing story and will be updated regularly with the latest details from the Channel 7 Eyewitness News accuweather team. Check back for the most current forecasts.
Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions, integrated into a more substantive news report format:
Why is this happening? The winter storm is a result of energy from storms impacting California converging with frigid Arctic air descending from the Midwest. This combination is creating a powerful weather system moving towards the East Coast.
Who is affected? The storm is impacting New York City and the broader Tri-state area, including northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut. Specifically, Mayor Eric adams and Governor Kathy Hochul are urging residents to exercise caution.
What is happening? A
