NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Friday night’s rain storm intensified an already dangerous flood problem in areas across the Tri-State area, and worse winter weather is coming toward Western New York on Saturday night. New York City remains windy and temperatures are dropping, with forecasts teasing potential snow that could break Central Park’s no-snow streak.
According to AccuWeather, there could be stray showers in New York City in the afternoon on Saturday, leading into a windy evening with bursts of clouds and sun.
Temperatures will fall to around 45 by 5 p.m., and wind gusts up to 45 mph will drop RealFeel temperatures to the 30s, AccuWeather said.
Saturday night will be mostly clear, though brisk. The low will be 33.
The forecast comes while Coastal Flood Warnings remain in effect for south-facing shorelines in Queens, on Long Island, in Connecticut and elsewhere following Friday’s rain storm. AccuWeather said that there are two to three feet of inundation and beach erosion possible in these areas.
NYC Emergency Management posted information on X about how report property damage caused by Jan. 13 flooding, as it may aid in receiving state and federal funding.
The National Weather Service New York NY posted preliminary rain totals across portions of the area in the aftermath of the precipitation; Central Park experienced 0.89 inches.
Amid devastating flooding in New Jersey from heavy rains this week, the Passaic River was at 11.3 feet when observed at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, according to the NWS.
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy arrived in Paterson – a city that required over a dozen flood rescues over Thursday and Friday – at 1 p.m. on Saturday to observe the flood damage.
Devastation also came through Long Island, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer are calling for federal support to help areas, like Fire Island, that have seen serious flooding issues and sand erosion.
A homeowner sent video to 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 of flooding in Massapequa caused by Friday's storm, highlighting the damage on Long Island.
As of 1:30 p.m., power outages from Friday night’s storm were widespread. In Central NJ, 4,227 customers were affected, mainly in Ocean and Sussex Counties; 431 customers were affected on Long Island, mainly in Nassau County; and 19 Con Edison customers were affected, according to reports from power companies.
In response to the storm, flights were also affected, with dozens of cancellations and more delays at Newark, JFK and LaGuardia Airports.
Gov. Kathy Hochul held a press briefing at 12 p.m. on Saturday in anticipation of oncoming severe winter weather.
According to Hochul, conditions in Western New York will be very bad at 6 p.m., with heavy snowfall coming in at rates of two to three inches per hour in some of the heaviest areas as snow continues through the night.
Forecasts are predicting the heaviest snowfall will hit the Southtowns and South Buffalo on Sunday afternoon, Hochul said.
This prompted the NFL, in consultation with Hochul, to move the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game from Sunday to Monday at Highmark Stadium.
Acknowledging the dangerous conditions, Hochul, in consultation with local and state agencies, issued a travel ban in Erie County beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday. The ban will be reassessed at 6 a.m. Sunday, after plows have the opportunity to clear roads overnight, Hochul said.
“Safety tips, you’ve heard them all, my colleagues will reinforce them. But stockpile now on your medication, go to the pharmacy, go to the grocery store. Do whatever you need to do now my friends, because this is going to be a dangerous storm,” Hochul said.
Sunday in NYC is supposed to be blustery and chilly with spots of sun, and a midday snow shower could reduce visibility, AccuWeather said. While the high will hit 40, RealFeels will remain in the 20s.
Into the work week, Monday will be brisk with some sun peeking through increasing clouds. Temperatures continue to drop, with a high of 32.
Tuesday and Wednesday are supposed to continue the cooling trend, with highs of 31 and upper 20s, respectively.
Tuesday is expected to see some snow, with the potential for it to accumulate, depending on the movement of a coastal storm, AccuWeather said.