Major Winter Storm To Impact The NYC Area Friday Evening To Saturday Morning

This is a Storm Warning Alert by NYC

Thu Feb 07 18:21:06 2013
STATUS: Open - Active
PROGNOSIS: Monitoring Weather-Snow
Citywide  02/08-09/2013

SUMMARY

  High pressure over the area will begin to retreat north tonight as an area of low pressure over the mid-west approaches the area.  This will allow for cloudy skies and increases chances for snow late tonight into Friday morning. A light easterly flow will increase tonight with the approach of the system. Lows will range from the upper teens to lower 20s inland to upper 20s to near 30 in the New York metro area.



As the low over the mid-west approaches, low pressure over the southeast U.S. will push off the east coast and head northeast Friday morning.  This low will become the dominant storm as it approaches the tri-state area. Snow will continue Friday morning for the entire area.  The snow will mix with and possibly change over to rain over portions of Long Island, New York City, and northeast NJ by the afternoon.  It will remain all snow, coming down heavy at times for inland areas.  As the storm approaches, it will strengthen, and winds will continue to increase, with gusts 45 to 55 mph, especially for eastern areas.


A changeover back to snow is expected by early Friday night for areas that will mix or change over to rain prior.  Blizzard conditions are expected, with heavy snow, wind gusts increasing to 45 to 60 mph, and visibilities reduced to 1/4 miles or less. The snow will continue into early Saturday morning and taper off by late morning into the early afternoon. 12 to 16 inches are forecast for Long Island, New York City, and northeast NJ, and the lower Hudson Valley with up to 2 feet in portions of southeast CT.  Locally higher amounts are possible, depending on where the heaviest snow sets up. Additionally, coastal flooding will also be a concern for portions of Long Island and southwest Connecticut Friday evening.

PRECIPITATION AND TIMING

A total of 10 to 14 inches of snowfall is forecasted by NWS with isolated higher amounts possible.  This event is described as moderate snow with narrow bands of heavy snow.  Friday night to early Saturday morning is the timeframe for the heaviest rates of snowfall.  The evening commute on Friday will be impacted by this snow storm.

Thursday Night: there is a 60 percent chance of snow tonight with little or no snow accumulation.

Friday: on Friday morning there is chance for snow, and then a chance for a rain and snow mix in the afternoon.  Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches can be expected.  By Friday night snow may be heavy at times.  An additional 6 to 10 inches of accumulating snow can be expected.  The chance for precipitation/snow will remain near 100 percent throughout the day on Friday.

Saturday: snow is likely on Saturday morning as well with an additional light snow accumulation possible.

TEMPERATURES

Tonight: lows in the upper 20s.

Friday: near steady temperatures in the mid 30s; lows in the mid 20s.

Saturday: highs in the upper 20s; lows around 15.

Sunday: high in the upper 30s; lows in the mid 20s.

WINDS

Tonight: east winds 10 to 15 MPH.

Friday: northeast winds 15 to 25 MPH with gusts up to 30 MPH increasing to 40 MPH by the afternoon; winds will be out of the north Friday night at 20 to 25 MPH with gusts up to 40 MPH.

Saturday: northwest winds 20 to 25 MPH with gusts up to 40 MPH; winds continue out of the northwest at night at 15 to 20 MPH with gusts up to 30 MPH.  Winds begin to diminish to around 10 MPH after midnight Saturday night.

Flooding

Moderate beach erosion and widespread flooding of vulnerable shore areas can be expected during the times of high tide on Friday evening between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM.

PRODUCTS

A Blizzard Warning is in effect citywide from 6:00 AM Friday to 1:00 PM Saturday.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect from 6:00 PM Friday to midnight Friday night along Long Island Sound and Twin Forks of Long Island.