The first storm of the season is about to hit the NY area. Temperatures will plummet to below freezing in much of the tri-state area by Thursday morning, setting the table for approaching moisture from the Ohio Valley, which will arrive in our area as snow and a winter mix.

Flurries are forecast to begin around 9:00AM for areas north and west of NYC. According to WCBSTV, the morning rush-hour should not be heavily impacted.

A winter storm warning has already been issued for parts of northern New Jersey, all of Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley, from Thursday morning through Thursday evening. Snow will move into those areas beginning around 9:00AM, and become heavy by noon. Accumulations should total between 4 and 10 inches in the heaviest hit areas.

While NYC and Long Island are not under the same warning, a winter weather advisory has been issued for all five boroughs, central New Jersey and Nassau and Suffolk counties. These areas could expect 2-4 inches of a snow-sleet mix.

The Thursday evening commute out of NYC will be difficult, especially if you are traveling to points north of the city.

Additionally, a Nor’easter had been predicted to hit the NYC area on Shabbos – but it is still not clear if it will contain heavy rain, or snow.

Alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations will be suspended on Thursday, December 13, 2007, for snow removal. All other regulations, including parking meters, remain in effect.

(WCBSTV – Click HERE to watch a report from CBS2)