NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – New York City experienced its first major snowfall in two years on Tuesday as a nor'easter dumped inches of the white stuff across the Tri-State, with some areas seeing nearly a foot.
The storm system moved into the city overnight as rain and switched over to snow before daybreak, with winds howling and thick, wet flakes falling throughout the day, sometimes at a rate of an inch per hour. See photos from the storm here.
The snow moved out of the five boroughs by afternoon. While totals are still being calculated, it appears a few inches fell in much of the city; 3-6 inches had been forecasted. The last time Central Park saw more than 3 inches of snow from a single storm was in Jan. 28-29, 2022.
While a Winter Storm Warning that was in effect for most of the Tri-State was being lifted west to east, people should still be careful into the evening as temps drop and surfaces run the risk of turning icy.
According to the National Weather Service, Central Park recorded 3.2 inches of snow Tuesday, while parts of New Jersey and the Hudson Valley saw nearly a foot. Sparta in Sussex County clocked 11.5 inches, while Mahopac in Putnam County got 11.3 inches. On Long Island, Stony Brook led the way with 7 inches, while 9.2 inches were measured in New Canaan, Connecticut. At the airports, JFK had 4.2 inches and Newark got 4.9 inches.
"We're expecting to see the most significant snow we've seen in a long time, and it's a day to stay home if you possibly can," Gov. Kathy Hochul told 1010 WINS as the storm was bearing down Tuesday. She said the state deployed 1,800 plows and had 6,400 utility workers on standby.
Mayor Eric Adams shared a similar sentiment during a news conference, saying, "The time has come, you know, Mother Nature does what she wants to do."
New York City's public schools were all remote on Tuesday. Some students were experiencing issues logging on, a day after city officials defended their decision not to have a traditional snow day. The city blamed the issue on IBM.
NYC Emergency Management issued a Travel Advisory, while the Sanitation Department put up a Snow Alert to coordinate with other agencies on snow removal. Alternate Side Parking was suspended Tuesday.
The MTA said Metro-North would operate on a modified schedule, while crews are ready to respond to issues with the subway, buses and LIRR. NJ Transit implemented systemwide cross honoring.
Hundreds of flights to and from LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports were canceled or delayed Tuesday. LaGuardia was experiencing the worst flight disruptions—about 40% of outgoing and incoming flights were canceled, according to FlightAware.
After the storm, Tuesday night will be clear, brisk and cold with lows dipping near 30 degrees, according to AccuWeather. The chilly temps could cause slippery conditions on snowy surfaces.
It will feel a lot more like winter the rest of the week. Wednesday will be sunny but blustery and cold with a high of only 36.
The rest of the work week should be chilly and partly sunny, with highs near 40 Thursday and Friday. A rain or snow shower can't be ruled out Thursday.
