(Bloomberg) — A blast of winter weather pummeled parts of the northeast and mid-Atlantic U.S., with New York City seeing its first significant snowstorm of the season along with treacherous road conditions for the morning commute.
As much as 5 inches (13 centimeters) of snow were expected to fall in the city, according to the National Weather Service, as storm warnings and advisories stretched across the region. The service said roadways have become hazardous, with snow spreading throughout the New York City area and temperatures near or below the freezing point.
While the system is expected to blow through the region quickly, it could dump as much as 1 inch per hour at times. Long Island could see as much as 7 inches of accumulation. A winter storm warning is in effect until noon local time on Friday for parts of southeast New York and southern Connecticut.
The fast-moving storm is propelled by gusty winds that will buffet the region after the snow has moved out to sea and may limit the amount that sticks on the ground, according to Tony Fracasso, a meteorologist with the U.S. Weather Prediction Center.
“It should be out of New York by late morning,” he said. “This is a moderate snow event. Not a blockbuster.”
Travel Advisories
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was expected to meet with officials at 4 a.m. local time to assess the storm response. Consolidated Edison Inc., the utility that serves much of New York City, warned of possible power outages. The city’s Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory for Friday.
Subways and buses in the city are still set to be running. Crews are working to make sure subway staircases and platforms are clear, according to Craig Cipriano, New York City Transit interim president.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. New Jersey is under a state of emergency, with commercial trucks banned or restricted on interstates.
Other regions will get hit harder. Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston may get 6 inches or more. Northeastern Maine could see as much as 12 inches by the end of the day, Fracasso said.
Before this storm, New York had recorded just 0.2 inches of snow in Central Park so far this season, well below the historical average of 6 1/2 inches, according to the National Weather Service. By this time in 2021, there had been more than 10 inches.
“Sometimes it takes a little time for winter to come in,” Fracasso said.
The Washington area was expected to receive as much as 4 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Federal offices and schools in the region were closed due to the weather. A winter storm hit the area earlier this week, with drivers stranded overnight on a busy stretch of highway in Virginia.
(Updates with National Weather Service notices in second and third paragraphs, details on Washington region final paragraph.)
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