Blizzard Could Bring 2 Ft of Snow

Patch.com

The two-or-so inches of snow we got Friday was child’s play compared to the “major winter storm” expected to hit NYC this coming Monday night, then wreak havoc for at least 24 hours, according to federal weather officials.

A “blizzard watch” will be in effect from midnight Monday through midnight Tuesday in all five boroughs. Government forecasters said in a Sunday-night briefing that the nor’easter will likely blanket the city in 12 to 18 inches of snow — and possibly up to 2 feet.

The snow could fall as fast as 2 to 4 inches per hour, creating a total “whiteout,” the briefing said.

“We’re preparing for a significant storm on Tuesday, and New Yorkers should also prepare for snow and dangerous road conditions,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday. “Besides the snow, it will be cold. We urge you to avoid unnecessary travel and help keep roads clear for Sanitation crews and first responders.”

During the storm, temperatures will likely hover between 20 and 32 degrees — creating the potential for a dense, hours-long snowfall that could coat city streets in up to 2 feet of powder, the National Weather Service said. The most likely snowfall is about 16 inches.

“Heaviest snow is expected to be before sunrise Tuesday, and through the morning, tapering during the afternoon,” the weather service said.

The storm also has the potential to cause flooding along the NYC coastline and sweep the city with wind gusts of up to 50 mph, according to forecasters.

NYC’s Emergency Management Department has issued a “hazardous travel advisory” for Tuesday.

“Heavy snow will make travel difficult on Tuesday,” said Joseph Esposito, head of the department. “New Yorkers should avoid driving and use mass transit when possible.”

The city’s alternate side parking rules will be suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“For many areas in the Northeast, this will likely be the biggest and most impactful storm of the winter,” AccuWeather reported over the weekend.

“This amount of snow over such a broad, heavily populated area could bring travel to a standstill as snow clogs streets and highways and heavy snow and wind trigger airline delays and flight cancellations,” the weather site said. “Some flights have already been canceled in advance of the storm.”