New Yorkers can expect to see some snowflakes early Tuesday as a coastal storm rolls through the region, though meteorologists say the most intense winter weather will stay farther inland.
According to the National Weather Service, the best chance for snow in the New York City area will be around sunrise, before temperatures start to warm up.
“It's possible we could have some cooler air bringing in a snowy start,” meteorologist Bryan Ramsey said. “But we're kind of leaning toward more of an all-rain forecast.”
While Ramsey said any snow won’t have time to accumulate in the city before rain moves in, Western New York, the Lower Hudson Valley, parts of New Jersey and Connecticut could all see a few to several inches of snow during Tuesday morning’s commute. The highest snowfall totals are expected in Orange County, which could get 4 to 7 inches, NWS said.
New York City is set to stay soggy, with about an inch and a half of rain forecast by the time the wet weather clears out Tuesday evening. Emergency management officials are activating the city’s flash flood plan, citing a "potentially wet and messy” commute and possible flooding in poor-drainage areas. They’re encouraging residents to clear out clogged catch basins or call 311 to have city workers do so.
Drier skies Tuesday night will come with gusty winds, which could reach 25 to 30 mph, according to NWS. Meteorologists say the rest of the workweek will be dry but cold, as temperatures are slated to drop into the low 20s or upper teens Thursday night before creeping back up toward highs around 40 this weekend, when the next chance of rain is possible.
