Tuesday, February 12, 2013

You're Invited to celebrate Dominican Heritage Month


Dominican Heritage Month



Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
Invites you to join him in celebrating the Dominican culture with traditional music and food on  
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
5:30 pm
Grand Slam, 478 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx

To RSVP Please Call 718-590-3989 or email smalave@bronxbp.nyc.gov


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Wave Hill Events February 22–March 1


  
   The second session of Wave Hill’s Winter Workspace residency gets underway next week, so by the time of the February 23 and 26 workshops, Onyedika and Tessa will be well settled in. Both workshops are almost full, but we are accommodating drop-ins as space permits. These sessions offer a way to connect with nature as muse, in a way that is distinctly Wave Hill. Be sure to pair the workshop—or papermaker Randy Brozen’s Family Art Project—with a walk through the landscape, already teasing us with signs of spring: This morning, I was thrilled to see clusters of daffodil stems pushing up around the base of the dawn redwoods in front of Glyndor House.  Of course, if you can’t make it to the Bronx this week, check out the lecture urban farmer Annie Novak is offering on Wednesday evening at the New York School of Interior Design.

If you live in the Bronx, take advantage of free admission to the grounds through Sunday, February 24!


SAT, FEBRUARY 23   FAMILY ART PROJECT—SEEDY BEADY PAPER
Seedy Beady Paper/Papel, pepitas y abalorios
Popular papermaker Randy Brozen shows us how to make beautiful sheets of handmade paper. We’ll make it extra fancy, and dress it up with seeds and seed beads! Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, FEBRUARY 23    WINTER WORKSPACE: EXPLORING FORM—MOLD MAKING AND CASTING
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Onyedika Chuke’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. In this mold-making workshop, participants learn about different casting techniques and then create their own molds and casts of both organic and machined forms. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free with admission to the grounds. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on March 17.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 10AM–1PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 24   FAMILY ART PROJECT—SEEDY BEADY PAPER
Seedy Beady Paper/Papel, pepitas y abalorios
Popular papermaker Randy Brozen shows us how to make beautiful sheets of handmade paper. We’ll make it extra fancy, and dress it up with seeds and seed beads! Free with admission to the grounds, and admission is free for Bronx residents.
ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 24    GARDEN AND CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK
Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.
MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, FEBRUARY 25
Closed to the public.

TUE, FEBRUARY 26    WINTER WORKSPACE: PORTRAIT OF A LANDSCAPE—PAINTING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS
Visitors gain insight into Winter Workspace artist Tessa Grundon’s creative process and explore the winter landscape as a source of inspiration. Grundon demonstrates how she creates images of the environment using natural materials such as mud and beeswax sourced from the site. Using these techniques, participants will make their own drawings of the local landscape. Art materials are provided unless otherwise noted. Workshops are open to all visitors ages 12 and over when accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so registration is recommended, at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or at the Perkins Visitor Center. Free, and admission to the grounds is free all day. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This program also takes place on March 19.
GLYNDOR GALLERY & ON THE GROUNDS, 1–4PM

WED, FEBRUARY 27    HORTICULTURAL LECTURE #2―ANNIE NOVAK: THE FUTURE OF FARMING
Wave Hill Horticultural Lectures are devoted to landscape design and the meaning of our interactions with plants and the natural world. This year’s distinguished lecturers offer a walk down memory lane. But these presentations are not simply an indulgence in nostalgia, because the past strongly informs the present in the three subjects we address. Hear from the front lines of the urban farm movement, as Annie Novak, founder and director of Growing Chefs, a field-to-fork non-profit for food education, explains how city farmers are learning from the lessons of agricultural history, even as they incorporate their own innovations on rooftops. A lifelong vegetarian and passionate advocate for ecology within good agriculture, Novak is cofounder and farmer of the nation’s first greenroof vegetable farm, the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm in Brooklyn. The final lecture in this series takes place March 13. Series: $48 Member, Student/$60 General. Individual lectures: $20 Member, Student/$25 General. Reservations recommended, online at www.wavehill.org or by calling 718.549.3200 x216.
NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN, 170 EAST 70TH STREET, MANHATTAN, 6PM
 
A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  
ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in February and March. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.


Sen. Klein Hosts Free Flu Vaccine Event



   On Thursday, February 7, 2012, State Senator Jeff Klein held a free flu vaccine event at Vladeck Hall at 74 Van Cortlandt Park South in the Bronx.. The event was co-sponsored by Jacobi Hospital where a RN from Jacobi gave free flu vaccinations to attendees who signed up for them. By offering free flu vaccinations, Senator Klein, working with the Jacobi Hospital, wants to help Bronx residents protect themselves and their families against influenza. The flu season lasts through May, yet it peaks in February. The sooner Bronxites get vaccinated, the better protected the community will be from influenza.On hand were co-sponsor Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, and 11th city council district candidate Andrew Cohen.

 
Left - Senator Klein comforts Mr. Emanuel Badger as Assemblyman Dinowitz and 11th council candidate Andrew Cohen (behind Senator Klein) look on while Jacobi Hospital RN Kylia Ester gives Mr. Badger his flu shot. 
Right - Senator Klein, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and council candidate Andrew Cohen pose for the camera. 


Friday, February 8, 2013

Plow NYC and Final 2012-2013 Borough Snow Plans


   This comes from one of our friends at City Hall.

   A new feature now is PlowNYC, a webpage where residents can track the progress of plowing operations in their neighborhoods.  People can put in their address and view a local map that includes their street's priority designation and details about when the location was last serviced.  The link is as follows:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/weather_plowtracker.shtml


The borough snow plans are now available on the DSNY webpage
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dsny/html/snow_plans_mapping/snowplans.shtml;


Also the maps can be found at http://www.nyc.gov/dsny under the tab Snow Plans and Mapping.


Public Advocate Bill de Blasio Endorses Andrew Cohen for Council


   New York City Public Advocate (and announced candidate for mayor) Bill de Blasio today has endorsed candidate Andrew Cohen in his bid for the City Council’s 11th district seat. The announcement was made Friday in front of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center in the Norwood section of the district in the northwest Bronx.

“I know that Andrew is the right person to make our neighborhoods an even better place to live, work, and raise a family,” de Blasio said. “His commitment to helping his community is strong, and I know he will fight for the ideals that I care about in the City Council. I am proud to endorse Andrew Cohen in the race for the 11th City Council district.” This was only an endorsement of 11th council candidate Andrew Cohen, and not a cross endorsement.

Mr. Cohen has already been endorsed by Congressman Eliot Engel, State Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, City Councilmembers Oliver Koppell and James Vacca and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (who like de Blasio is running for mayor in the September Democratic primary).

“I am proud to receive the endorsement of our Public Advocate, Bill de Blasio, who has been a strong fighter for the people of New York City,” Cohen said. “We are standing outside the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, an outstanding organization that effectively serves both our youth and our seniors. As Chairman of Bronx Community Board 8’s Aging Committee and former Chair of Board 8’s Youth Committee, I know the importance of wonderful institutions like these and appreciate all they do for our community. Once elected, I plan to work very closely with Mosholu Montefiore and other community organizations that have such a strong and positive affect on our neighborhood.” 

Left - below - Public Advocate and 11th council district Andrew Cohen stand outside the Mosholu Montifiore Community Center as de Blasio explains why he has chosen to endorse candidate Andrew Cohen in the 11th council district. 
Right - above - The pair listen to MMCC director Don Bluestone explain his frustrations about some of the mandates of the Bloomberg administration, and how  MMCC has been cut back on or lost needed programs to the community.



Left and Right - Cohen and de Blasio say hello to the seniors who are at MMCC to get a much needed meal and more.





COUNCIL PASSES KOPPELL-SPONSORED BILLS TO ASSESS MOVING POWER LINES UNDERGROUND,


COUNCIL PASSES KOPPELL-SPONSORED BILLS TO ASSESS MOVING POWER LINES UNDERGROUND, INCREASE STORM WATER RETENTION & CREATE A RENEWABLE ENERGY WEB PORTAL  

   At its meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, the Council approved a bill, co-sponsored by Council Member Oliver Koppell, a member of the Environmental Protection Committee, that  authorizes a study to examine relocating overhead utility wires in vulnerable neighborhoods underground. The Council found that thousands of individuals in the outer boroughs where overhead power lines existed were without power for weeks, whereas parts of the city served by underground lines typically had service restored within a few days.
The study, to be conducted over a period of six months, would include an analysis of weather-related power outages over the last five years for both underground and above ground power lines, an examination of general network reliability for both types of power distribution and an estimate of the per-mile cost for undergrounding.
“I welcome this study,” Koppell said “which is particularly relevant to my district where the existence of overhead power lines in Fieldston resulted in a large number of outages and long delays in restoring power to that community.  I have already asked Con Ed to bury the lines underground in Fieldston and I believe the results of this study will bolster my request.” 
Legislation To increase Stormwater Retention and Increase Biodiversity
The Council also voted on legislation to require the Parks Department to develop a stormwater retention planting guide in order to use greenery to help manage stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows.
“Water from even mild rain storms can overwhelm the city’s sewer system, causing combined sewer overflows where stormwater and raw sewage are mixed and released into surrounding bodies of water untreated,” Koppell said.  “The bill would result in city plantings being more stormwater tolerant in order to facilitate stormwater retention and filtration, procedures that  will become even more important with the anticipated increase in the intensity of future storms.”  
The Council also approved legislation to increase native plant species on city-owned properties.  The bill requires the Parks Department to develop manuals to increase biodiversity in its landscape practices in order to minimize the space available for invasive, non-native plant species that are not suitable to the city’s climate. 
Both the stormwater retention and biodiversity guides will be made available online for the public to use.
Creation of a Green Web Portal
In order to help  reduce  greenhouse gas emissions in the city, the Council also approved the creation of a renewable energy web portal to promote the adoption of green energy systems, including solar, wind and geothermal.  The web portal would inform the public about the feasibility and economic practicality of installing renewable energy resources in New York City.  
“Taken together, these measures are forward thinking and will contribute towards the protection of our environment and mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change,”  Koppell said. 
 
 

MAYOR BLOOMBERG UPDATES NEW YORKERS ON CITY RESPONSE TO WINTER STORM


The following are Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s remarks as delivered today at the Office of Emergency Management in Downtown Brooklyn:

“This morning, I visited Sanitation Department crews who are on snow-removal duty. The winter storm is certainly on everyone’s minds, and I can tell you that there were a lot of plows on the front of trucks, there was a big snow melter ready to go if necessary.

“They had one plow that if we had ten feet of snow, it would blast right through it, but I don’t think we’re going to need that one. But let me update you on what’s being called Winter Storm Nemo and the City’s preparations for it.

“The current forecast from the National Weather Service – now keep in mind, these are forecasts, this is a reasonably unpredictable storm. It could turn further northeast or it could stall and give us more precipitation.

“Right now, as you know, outside it is all rain. There really isn’t any snow, even when you look at the grass it’s pretty clean. But the heavy snow is supposed to come in later on. The National Weather Service says that this morning it started to snow, turned to rain, back to snow this afternoon. Likely to fall in a fast and heavy rate – their words – during much of the evening and overnight period, with the heaviest snow expected to begin between 3 and 7 pm tonight.

“By the time the storm passes early Saturday afternoon, we’re expecting to have accumulations of 10 to 14 inches across the five boroughs, based on the latest from the National Weather Service. And higher local accumulations are possible.

“Now, all of that could change. The storm could move much further east faster, and we could have an awful lot less snow, which would be great. But we’ve got to prepare for the worst case, and this is what the National Weather Service says is the worst case.

“As widely reported, the storm is resulting from the merging of two low pressure systems, one approaching from the west – the Chicago area – and one coming up the Atlantic Coast – from the North Carolina area. And largely because of the coastal nor’easter, we’ll see sustained winds of 10 to 30 miles an hour, gusts up to 40 or 50 miles an hour.

“This combination of snow and high winds and the reduced visibility are hazards for travel, and it’s why we remain under a blizzard warning through 1 pm on Saturday.

“As New Yorkers know all too well, high winds can also disrupt electrical service in neighborhoods with overhead lines, as trees topple down or branches shear off trees and do serious damage.

“Let me just remind you, if you have a tree come down and there’s a power line down, don’t go near it. Don’t touch it. Pick up the phone, call 311 and they’ll tell you what to do and we’ll get a professional crew there to remove it. Power lines are dangerous, and every time we have a storm like this – or many times – we do have tragedies occur.

“A final potentially hazardous element of this storm is some coastal flooding. It is likely to happen during high tide, which will wash up at the Battery shortly after 7 pm and along the Long Island Sound shores of Northern Queens and the Bronx several hours later. The reason it’s much later there is that the water has to go around Montauk and come all the way down Long Island Sound before it hits Northern Queens and the Bronx, whereas the water from the Battery comes straight in from the ocean.

“Many of the same communities that were inundated by Hurricane Sandy’s tidal surge just about 100 days ago are likely to see some moderate coastal flooding this evening. It’s likely to produce the kind of coastal flooding that can be expected in these areas during such storms and people know how to deal with it.

“If your house has been damaged by Sandy and it’s still without heat, call 311 and we’ll be sure to find you shelter. And certainly, if you or someone you see has symptoms like uncontrolled shivering or disorientation, that may very well be hypothermia and hypothermia can be deadly. So anyone with these symptoms should get someplace warm immediately.

“Also, please do not use gas ovens or ranges to heat your homes. That can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning – which can be fatal.

“Now, as we do during all emergency weather conditions, our City has a plan of action for keeping New Yorkers safe, and we’ve already put that plan into motion. And I would like to describe a little bit about what our different City agencies are doing and stress some things that we would ask all New Yorkers to do.

“The first is: Stay off the city streets, stay out of your cars, and stay in your homes while the worst of this storm is on us. That’s for your own protection during potentially hazardous outdoor conditions. It is why we’ve cancelled all Friday after school activities, including Public School Athletic League games. Saturday classes and activities at public schools have also been cancelled.

“Staying off the streets will make it easier for City workers to clear the streets of snow so that emergency vehicles can use them.

“Any vehicles found to be blocking roadways or impeding the flow of traffic will be subject to towing at the owner’s expense. And by keeping ourselves out of harm’s way, we’ll reduce the hazards our first responders have to confront, as well, so there’s double value in doing this.

“Also, there is no need to do panic buying of gas for your cars; all indications are the gas supply is plentiful and deliveries will not be disrupted.

“Tonight, what’s a good idea? Cook a meal, stay home, read a good book, watch a movie, just take it easy.

“Remember, there are a lot of people who are going to be out there shoveling the snow and trying to plow it to the side, and just don’t want to get in their way. And also, if you’re out there shoveling snow, be careful, don’t over-exert yourself with that task. This snow can be very heavy snow, very wet snow, and you really can strain yourself or worse.

“Also, as I said this morning on my radio show, it’s good to look at your neighbors who may need a little extra help getting through the next several days.

“If you see someone homeless on the streets or in a public place, just pick up the phone, call 311. This is no night to be out in the elements, and we will send a staff right away to help that person.

“Last night, I did order all Department of Homeless Services staff to double their outreach efforts to protect unsheltered New Yorkers. That will be true tonight as well.

“During this high alert period, Homeless Services staff will check on vulnerable clients every two hours – or four times per shift. And we are putting on an additional number of outreach vans on the streets to respond to 311 calls.

“Also, please use 911 wisely – only for genuine emergencies requiring a response from the police, firefighters, or emergency service vehicles. Use 311 for all other calls or inquires to City agencies; we’ve brought in additional 311 call-takers to handle what we expect to be a higher than normal volume of calls.

“But if you want to know whether the plow is coming or whether the schools are closed and that sort of thing, do not use 911. When you do it, somebody with a real emergency can’t get through and they may suffer and may die.

“Let me walk through what City agencies are doing in response to the storm, starting with preparing to clear streets and highways of snow.

“City Sanitation workers are on a full mobilization, and have been since Thursday night.  They’re on 12-hour shifts. The Sanitation Department will deploy something like 1,700 snow plows and 65 front-end loaders. It also has 450 salt spreaders already deployed. And the Department has made arrangements with private sector contractors to pull in more than 100 pieces of additional heavy equipment for cleaning residential streets.

“The Sanitation Department plows, as you know, are now GPS-equipped, and New Yorkers can track the progress of snow removal in their neighborhood online at nyc.gov using the ‘Plow NYC’ feature. I have used it myself.

“The way it basically works is you put in your address and it’s updated only once every half an hour, but we color code the streets. When the plow goes down it stays one color for the first hour, then it switches to another color, then to another color, and it really gives you what you need to know, whether or not you’ve been plowed.

“At the Sanitation garages, they have a much more sophisticated and hard to use version of that where they can actually talk to and know where every single plow is, knowing the number of the plow, and you can look up the name of the driver and know how fast they’re going and all that kind of information that’s useful for managing the plowing and sanding fleet. But in terms of the public, we want something that’s simple and it does work. Plug in your address, be careful to do it accurately, and you will find out when the last time a plow went down your street.

“The Departments of Parks, Environmental Protection, and Transportation, those three departments, are supplementing, you should know, the snow removal effort with their own equipment. The Transportation Department also has 17 anti-icing vehicles working on the roadways on the East River Bridges. 

“In addition, the NYPD has a fleet of 95 tow trucks on the streets and prepared to remove stalled vehicles, with additional tow trucks being deployed by the Departments of Transportation and Parks. And we have also 31 private tow trucks included in this force. So we’ve got a whole system of pulling together all the resources, all the tow trucks, and we certainly think we have enough.

“Finally, to assist with snow removal, street cleaning and parking meter regulations will be suspended citywide today and tomorrow. [Note: Parking meter regulations are still in effect today but will be suspended tomorrow.]

“Tonight, the Fire Department will have 100 additional ambulances on the streets; they’ll have snow chains on their tires and snow removal equipment and other special equipment on board. And because snow conditions can make fighting fires even more difficult, the FDNY has added an additional firefighter to each of their engine units starting with tonight’s tours of duty.

“Because of the likelihood of moderate coastal flooding, the FDNY also has prepositioned a number of its waterborne rescue units in the city’s low-lying coastal areas. The NYPD has Emergency Services Units in these areas as well, and they’ll be beefing up police patrols in those neighborhoods.

“The Police Department will also be putting additional highway patrol units on duty to help stranded motorists. But what would be great is if you left work early today, got home, parked your car in a legal parking place, and if you have to go around use mass transit. What we don’t want are cars getting stuck in the middle of the road. That keeps us from plowing and it just, if you’ll pardon the pun, snowballs the problem. You’ve got to get home safely, rush hour, but get your car off the street or to the side of the road where it’s parked and that will help everybody.

“As to mass transit, we’ve spent a lot of time talking to the State agency. The MTA believes that underground subway service will be operating close to normal throughout the rush hour today. And after that, some trains will be stored underground for safety, and much of the rest will offer local service only. It is also likely that MTA bus service will be reduced as the snow intensifies, and for the duration of the storm.

“For example, they will not be operating these big articulated buses. They’re just so big that the wind can push them around, and so the bus service may be curtailed to some extent. If there is a subway where you’re going, I would suggest that you take that.

“The MTA also has put on extra commuter trains ahead of the normal evening rush hour and is strongly urging their riders to use them. Northbound Amtrak service from Penn Station has also been suspended because of the storm.

“If you look at the weather map, there’s going to be an awful lot more snow, it is predicted to be greater, north and east of where we are as you go towards Massachusetts.

“Our human services agencies are also responding to the storm as you would expect. By the end of this afternoon, all Department for the Aging home-delivered meal programs will have delivered extra meals to last through the weekend in case we can’t get there tomorrow or Sunday. Over 15,000 seniors will receive this service.

“All City senior centers will be open until 3 pm today. However, we are encouraging New Yorkers to stay at home if possible, especially our seniors. And senior centers will be closed tomorrow, Saturday. So senior centers closed tomorrow, don’t go down and expect to find them open. Stay at home is a good rule.

“The Department of Buildings also has issued an advisory warning to property owners and building contractors to secure their construction sites, and tie down loose materials and equipment. Inspectors are performing spot-checks to make sure workers are taking the proper precautions.

“All permits issued to film crews by the Mayor’s Office of Film and Media Entertainment Saturday has been suspended. So we won’t be making movies, it just gets in the way of everything else. 

“We’ll provide additional information about this storm as it’s available. For the latest details on City services and alerts, you can visit our severe weather webpage at nyc.gov.

“You can sign up on nyc.gov for Notify NYC text and e-mail alerts. And you can follow NYCgov on Twitter and Facebook. You can also send a text to 311 about any snow issues. The number to text is 311-NYC, or 311-692.

“For instance, if you text about a particular street that has yet to be plowed, a 311 representative will make sure that information is passed along to the Sanitation Department. But remember, we do the primary streets first, then we do the secondaries, then the tertiaries. And on the nyc.gov, if you go to Plow NYC, you can see how your street is designated – primary, secondary or tertiary.

“NYC.gov can also tell you how to volunteer for snow removal duties tomorrow if you are interested in doing that.”


Thursday, February 7, 2013

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.