NYC Weather Forecast: Winter Storm Could Drop 16 Inches Of Snow

NEW YORK, NY — New York City could be bombarded by snow for more than 24 hours during the upcoming winter storm, the National Weather Service announced Tuesday. The weather service has issued a winter storm warning for the city and its surrounding areas starting midnight Tuesday and continuing to 8 a.m Thursday.

Total snow accumulation is predicted to be somewhere between 12 to 16 inches, the National Weather Service announced. Ice is also expected to accumulate on the ground, making travel "very difficult to impossible," the weather service warned. On Monday the weather service predicted a maximum of 6 inches of snow.

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The majority of snowfall is expected to occur Wednesday, according to a National Weather Service forecast. Until about 7 a.m. Wednesday the storm will drop freezing rain, sleet and some snow, but only about half an inch of snow accumulation is predicted. Heavy snow will begin after 7 a.m. Wednsday and continue through the night, according to the National Weather Service.

In addition to heavy snow, the upcoming winter storm is expected to bring high winds. Wind gusts could be as high as 41 miles per hour Wednesday and 36 miles per hour Wednesday night, according to a National Weather Service forecast.

Commuters should make sure its safe to travel Wednesday before leaving home, the National Weather Service said.

"A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible. Check local Department of Transportation information services for the latest road conditions," the weather service said.

City agencies are well-prepared to battle Wednesday's storm, which will be the fourth major winter snow to hit New York City this month, officials said during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. The Department of Sanitation is readying nearly 700 salt spreaders and more than 1,600 plows to battle the storm Wednesday, commissioner Kathryn Garcia said. The department has more than 220,000 tons of salt on hand for the storm.

Here's the full National Weather Service forecast for the winter storm:

Wednesday:

Snow, freezing rain, and sleet likely before 7 a.m., then snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 34. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Windy, with a north wind 26 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Wednesday night:

Snow, mainly before midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 32. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. Windy, with a north wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Thursday:

Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Breezy, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday night:

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Photo by David Allen/Patch