What you should know
- A powerful winter storm could dump a foot of snow on parts of New York and New Jersey between Monday night and Wednesday, and while New York City will see snow overnight, it will likely be too hot for be seen.
- The Hudson Valley should see the heaviest snow, along with northern New Jersey. A coastal flood warning has been issued for The Bronx, where the rain could be heavy at times.
- No matter the totals, Tuesday morning commutes are going to be unpleasant. School closings and delays are possible, and we expect 30-40 mph wind gusts through Wednesday.
NEW YORK — Winter storm watches have been issued for our area for a stretch of the Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey. This before a possible system arrives that would dump up to a foot of snow in some places and heavy rain in others, including New York City. Bad weather that will affect the trip of many for Tuesday morning.
Temperature is the differentiator with this system, especially for New York City, Long Island, and neighboring suburbs. With highs expected in the mid-40s, the precipitation moving in Monday night will likely start out as heavy rain in the city. It can be intense at times, so caution is advised for the rush of the afternoon. The rain continues late into the night and turns to snow for a few hours as temperatures drop. However, any accumulation will be minor.
What does seem pretty certain is heavy snowfall projected for northern New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. The further north you look, the more snow you’ll find for Tuesday afternoon and early Wednesday morning. While one foot is possible for Sullivan, Dutchess, and Ulster counties, Westchester, Fairfield, and Rockland counties, as well as Connecticut’s Fairfield County, could still see about six inches.
Check the latest alerts from the National Weather Service here.
Regardless of the totals, Tuesday morning’s commute is going to be unpleasant, regardless of where you are. Don’t be surprised to see a number of school cancellations.
Storm Timeline and Expectations
NEW YORK CITY AND LONG ISLAND
- Monday: Periods of rain throughout the day.
- Monday night: Heavy rain and possible localized flooding.
- Tuesday: Rain mixes with and changes to snow; only minor accumulations
NORTHWESTERN NEW JERSEY, CATSKILLS, LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND CONNECTICUT
- Monday: Snow for Pike/Sullivan/northern Orange counties early; it can change to rain at noon.
- Monday night: Hours of heavy snow, possibly seeing half a foot by morning.
- Tuesday: Snow continues for most of the day, clearing up in the afternoon.
Winds will pick up as well, bringing gusts to 30 to 50 mph Tuesday and perhaps some stronger ones for Long Island. And as the storm retreats on Wednesday, the gusty winds should continue.
Temperatures rise again the rest of the week with a mix of sun, clouds, and some showers heading into the St. Patrick’s Day holiday weekend.
