NYC Nor'easter: Latest Storm Expected To Be Worst Of Winter

NEW YORK, NY – Latest forecasts predict the fourth winter storm in just three weeks could be the worst of the season, with up to 18 inches of snow now expected and wind gusts with the potential to bring tree limbs crashing to the ground.

The National Weather Forecast overnight increased the amount of snow expected as the bad weather approached the city. On Tuesday night, forecasters were looking at 15 inches.

The snow started to fall around 7 a.m. Wednesday. It is expected to get heavier through the morning and continue until midnight, the NWS said. A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Thousands of flights have already been canceled from area airports, schools are closed, the city has 693 salt spreaders working and has 1,600 plows ready to go as soon as more than two inches of snow accumulates.

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Here's the detailed forecast, courtesy of the NWS:

Wednesday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Breezy, with a northeast wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible.

Wednesday Night
Snow, mainly before 3am. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 32. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Breezy, with a north wind 22 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Thursday
A 20 percent chance of snow before 9am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph.

Friday
A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

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