New York City, NY – New Yorkers may be in for a belated white Christmas as a fast-moving winter storm threatens to dump up to 10 inches of snow across the city and surrounding areas by early Saturday afternoon, forecasters warned Thursday. Officials are urging residents to prepare for hazardous travel conditions and delays during the busy post-holiday period.
Winter Storm Watch Issued for NYC and Surrounding Areas
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm watch starting Friday at 4 p.m. for New York City, northeast New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley, and Long Island, lasting until 1 p.m. Saturday. The storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall, especially during the evening hours, as temperatures drop into the high 20s.
Snow Accumulations Expected
Meteorologists predict total snow accumulations between 4 to 8 inches across the metro area, though the “reasonable worst-case scenario” could see up to 10 inches in localized areas. Snowfall rates of about 1 inch per hour are expected, with a small chance of up to 2 inches per hour in the heaviest bands, according to the NWS.
The storm is anticipated to create snow-covered roads, leading to hazardous driving conditions during the Friday evening commute and post-holiday errands.
Travel Disruptions and Airport Delays
AccuWeather warns of major slowdowns on roads and at airports as the snow accumulates. Senior meteorologist Tyler Roys noted that the storm has a high likelihood of producing enough snow to require shoveling and plowing in the New York City metro area.
Senior meteorologist Tom Kines added that while the storm is not expected to shut down the city, it will cause travel headaches, particularly for those running errands or returning gifts on Friday afternoon and evening.
“If you’ve got errands to do during the day – returning presents or whatever – or even traveling, I think for the most part you’re OK. After 3 or 4 p.m. tomorrow, that’s when you start worrying about some snow coming in,” Kines said.
He also predicted poor travel conditions and delays starting around rush hour Friday evening, both on the roads and in air travel.
Comparison to Previous Snow Events
The last time New York City saw a similar forecast was in February, when roughly 3 inches of snow accumulated across the boroughs. Officials say that while this storm is not expected to bring record-breaking snowfall, it will still create messy conditions for commuters and holiday shoppers.
Conditions Expected to Improve Saturday
Meteorologists expect the snow to taper off by daybreak Saturday, bringing some relief to travel conditions and making it easier for residents to resume normal activities after the storm. Officials continue to advise residents to monitor forecasts, avoid non-essential travel during the heaviest snowfall, and prepare for shoveling and snow removal where necessary.
Are you planning to travel or run errands during the snowstorm in NYC? How are you preparing for post-holiday travel delays? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
