NYC Weather: Major Winter Storm Could Blast Up To 5 Inches Of Snow

NEW YORK CITY — Just when New Yorkers got used to mild weather, winter will be back with a vengeance.

Up to 5 inches of snow and 35 mph wind gusts could hit New York City late Monday as a widespread winter storm hits the area, according to the National Weather Service.

The city is under a winter weather advisory and a hazardous weather outlook starting at 6 p.m.

"This is likely to be the biggest storm of the season to date for much of the Northeast, including New York City," said Joe Lundberg, senior meteorologist for AccuWeather said in a report for the service.

City officials issued a travel advisory from Monday at 6 p.m. to Tuesday.

Alternate side parking is also suspended Tuesday in anticipation of the storm, officials said.

"While most of the impacts will occur during the overnight hours, conditions will remain hazardous through the early morning,” said Zach Iscol, the city's emergency management commissioner. “We encourage all New Yorkers to use mass transit, allow for extra travel time, and exercise caution tonight into tomorrow morning’s commute.”

The storm system is one of several to hit the U.S. in recent days.

Indeed, the major storm will be fueled by another weather system that hit California with rain and snow, according to AccuWeather.

The storm likely will bring the biggest snowfall this season, which has only brought 0.4 inches of snow that all fell in a single day: Feb. 1, according to records.

The snowfall that day broke records for the longest wait before the white stuff arrived.

Exact expected snowfall totals for New York City were still in flux as of Monday morning, according to a National Weather Service briefing and an AccuWeather report.

More snow is expected farther north in the city, with 3 inches or more in The Bronx compared to 1 inch or less to the south, according to AccuWeather.

“Snowfall amounts for the NYC/NJ metro and Long Island are the most uncertain,” the NWS briefing states. “It will be dependent on intensity of snowfall at the onset, whether warm air comes in aloft from the southwest, and low-level warming due to east winds. Southern portions of LI and NYC will changeover first.”

Still, the snowfall likely will affect roads.

“We are expecting the first widespread plowable snowfall of the season,” the briefing states.

Snow and sleet are expected to arrive after 6 p.m., most likely later in the evening and early morning hours Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast. City officials warned that heavy and steady snowfall is expected between 8 p.m. and midnight after a brief period of light snow.

Here’s the complete National Weather Service forecast.

Monday
Increasing clouds, with a steady temperature around 39. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night
Snow and sleet before 1am, then snow between 1am and 4am, then snow and sleet after 4am. Low around 34. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. East wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Tuesday
Snow and sleet before 10am, then rain likely. High near 39. Wind chill values between 25 and 35. Northeast wind 6 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 31. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. North wind 6 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Thursday
A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Thursday Night
A chance of rain after 1am, mixing with snow after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday
Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday Night
Rain likely before 1am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.