A winter storm warning is in effect as a nor’easter hits the area. The storm could bring as much as a foot of snow, heavy rain and wind to the Tri-State area yet again. The second nor’easter to hit the tri-state area in a week is expected to cripple travel across the region once again.

Snow accumulations will be in the 6″-12″ range in the core of the area, with locally higher amounts north and west of the city.

The worst of the storm is expected through the afternoon, when Storm Team 4 cautions snow could fall at a rate of 2 or more inches an hour. Thundersnow is not out of the question. Hundreds of flights were canceled ahead of the storm and railroads announced service changes.

Accumulations will be less on eastern Long Island and coastal New Jersey where some rain will be mixed in for a while.

[10:45am Update] Based on the latest trends and observations we have bumped up our snowfall forecast. Heavy snow will fall this afternoon with rates of 1-2″ per hour. pic.twitter.com/LlVb0X6uxU

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) March 7, 2018

The bulk of wind and wintry precipitation will move through during the day on Wednesday. The heaviest precipitation will fall during the afternoon and evening, making for a treacherous evening commute.

In areas that see significant accumulations, the heavy, wet snow could bring down trees and power lines.

During the time of the heaviest snowfall this afternoon, thundersnow is a possibility. Snowfall rates of 1-2″ per hour, with locally higher rates (2″+per hour) are also possible primarily after noon within the heaviest snow bands.

— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) March 7, 2018

Winds will gust 40-45mph in the city, with 50-55mph gusts across eastern Long Island.

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert, alternate side parking is suspended in the city Wednesday and Thursday, as well as a hazardous travel advisory for Wednesday. Commuters are advised to use mass transit where possible.

New York City public schools are open Wednesday. More than 250 other schools across the tri-state are closed.

Kathryn Garcia, the NYC sanitation commissioner, said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference that the expected wet, heavy snow could pose a problem for power lines.

“We need to be sure we stay ahead of the snowfall,” she said.

Garcia said 693 snowplows are ready to go at the “first signs of snowflakes,” and another 1,600 snowplows can be deployed if needed.

AMTRAK

Amtrak is operating on a modified schedule on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington on Wednesday, with several trains canceled because of the inclement weather.

Trains on the Empire line, between New York Penn and Albany-Rensselaer stations, and Keystone line, between New York and Harrisburg, will also operate on modified schedules.

Welcome to #NorEaster2018…the Sequel☃ @GovMurphy has closed NJ State Offices today. There is NO travel ban. However, please stay off the roads🚗to allow @NJDOT_info to do their job. If you MUST drive, use caution & take it slow. #ReadyNJ #SnowStorm #WednesdayWisdom pic.twitter.com/tZw1hoAobc

— NJOEM (@ReadyNJ) March 7, 2018

AIRPORTS

More than 1,400 flights in and out of the region’s three major airports have been canceled Wednesday, according to the air travel tracking service FlightAware.

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which oversees operations at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark airports is urging travelers to contact their airlines before coming to the airport, noting that several are waiving change fees for the storm.

LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD

There have been no changes announced for LIRR service as of Wednesday morning.

ROADWAYS

Gov. Cuomo said all tractor trailers, tandem trailers, buses, box trucks, and other high profile vehicles are restricted from the following roads beginning at 8 a.m.

• New York State Thruway from Exit 36 (Syracuse) to the New York City line, including the Berkshire Spur to the Massachusetts State Line, I-95, Garden State Parkway Connector and I-287

• I-88 from Binghamton to Albany

• I-81 from Pennsylvania line to the New York State Thruway

• Route 17 Binghamton to I-84

• I-84 from the Connecticut State Line to the Pennsylvania State Line

• I-684 from I-84 to I-287

The New York Thruway Authority is advising all motorists to avoid travel, if possible.

Likewise, in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy advised drivers to stay off the roads when he declared a state of emergency on Tuesday afternoon.

Schools have been closed in several cities and more than 2,000 flights were canceled ahead of the storm’s arrival in the Northeast, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. School closures extended as far south as North Carolina, where snow in the mountains forced officials to cancel classes in Watauga County on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.

Ahead of the storm, emergencies were declared in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As storm “Quinn” arrived, more than 100,000 homes and businesses in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were still without power from Winter Storm Riley, according to PowerOutage.us.

(Yossi Taub – YWN)