The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for New York City in effect from noon Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain may cause travel difficulties on Wednesday.

According to the latest National Weather Service (NWS) forecast, a low-pressure system will bring a wintry mix to the city on Wednesday. Light to moderate snow moves into the area Wednesday afternoon, then transitions to a wintry mix of snow and sleet Wednesday evening. A trace of freezing rain is also possible. The heaviest period of snowfall is expected during the Wednesday evening commute, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The wintry mix is forecast to change over to rain late Wednesday night, and will taper off Thursday morning. The precipitation will end by noon Thursday. A total of 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation is in the forecast, with locally higher amounts of 4 to 5 inches possible. A light glaze of ice is also possible.

New York City Emergency Management advises New Yorkers to use public transportation wherever possible on Wednesday. If you must drive, allow for extra travel time, expect slippery roads and limited visibility, and exercise caution.

“Although we start out dry Wednesday morning, we are expecting snow and sleet to develop in the afternoon, causing for a messy evening commute. We advise you to use mass transit, give yourself extra travel time, and exercise caution,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito.

NYC Emergency Management continues to work closely with National Weather Service to monitor the storm, and will activate the City’s situation room beginning Wednesday afternoon. Key agencies and partners will staff the situation room to coordinate any response to potential impacts associated with the forecast.

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has loaded 695 salt spreaders across the five boroughs, and its fleet of plows will begin operations if more than two inches of snow accumulates on roadways.

Wednesday
Snow, mainly after 3pm. High near 33. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northeast wind around 7 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. A general 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected with areas of 3 to 6 inches.

Thursday
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 7am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 6 to 14 mph.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Saturday
Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)