Blizzard could dump 18 inches of snow on Northeast
NEW YORK – The Northeast is bracing for winter’s last hurrah – a blizzard expected to sweep the New York region starting today with possibly the season’s biggest snowstorm dumping up to 18 inches on Central Park.
The National Weather Service issued a blizzard watch Sunday for coastal regions including New York City and surrounding areas of Long Island, Westchester County and Connecticut.
A winter storm watch was in effect for a larger area of the Northeast: New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New England.
Gov. Tom Wolf is urging Pennsylvania residents to prepare for a storm that could bring a foot or more of snow to the parts of the commonwealth.
NWS forecasters said eastern and central Pennsylvania residents could see 6 to 10 or 12 inches of snow this evening into Tuesday, and the Poconos and northeastern Pennsylvania could see more than a foot.
Wolf said an emergency declaration hasn’t been issued but could be if the situation warrants one, and travel restrictions may also be put in place this evening into Tuesday if that is needed to minimize dangerous travel.
Officials are urging residents to make sure they have emergency supplies. Drivers are urged to postpone travel during the storm, drive carefully and use caution around snow plows.
In New York City, forecasters said the first snow is expected late today or just after midnight Tuesday, with up to 4 inches falling by dawn. Heavy snow the rest of the day could pile 10 to 14 inches more of white stuff, with sustained winds of about 30 mph and wind gusts of up to 50 mph.
“This would certainly be the biggest snowstorm of the 2017 winter season in New York City,” said Faye Barthold, a weather service meteorologist based on Long Island.
On Long Island, a snowfall of 12 to 18 inches was forecast along with equally strong winds and visibility of a quarter mile or less.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday the New York State Emergency Operations Center will be activated this evening, with stockpiles of sandbags, generators and pumps at the ready, as well as snow-removal vehicles and salt spreaders.
The New York City Department of Sanitation is taking similar action and also notifying additional workers to supplement staff if needed.
Once the nor’easter hits, motorists in New York state can call 511 or access www.511ny.org to check on road conditions and transit information.
Other areas, including the lower Hudson Valley and northeastern New Jersey, also could get 12 to 18 inches of snow. But those areas were not under a blizzard watch because high winds and low visibility were not expected.
The severe weather would arrive just a week after the region saw temperatures climb into the 60s. Sunny days and T-shirt-wearing temperatures made it seem like winter had made an early exit. But the chilly weather and snow some areas got Friday may prove to be just a teaser.