NYC Weather: Blizzard Conditions Possible As New Snow Accumulates

NEW YORK CITY — New York City stands under a snow alert and winter storm warning as New Yorkers across the coast brace themselves for a potential blizzard.

The National Weather Service warned New Yorkers Friday to expect snowfall rates Friday afternoon of up to an inch an hour Friday afternoon causing travel hazards and blowing snow.

Certain parts of the city could see up to 11 inches of snow, according to an NWS forecast.

Winds could blow at 45 mph and near blizzard conditions are possible on Saturday, forecasters said.

"AS PER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT BLIZZARD WARNINGS," the NWS tweeted about 8:45 a.m. "We are currently reevaluating the data."

Snow fell on New York City as mourners gathered outside St. Patrick's Cathedral to honor NYPD Officer Jason Rivera, who lost his life in Harlem last week.

While the morning snow was light, airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the metro-area on Friday and Saturday in anticipation of the weekend's storm.

The New York and Brooklyn public libraries announced all branches would close 5 p.m. Friday and remain closed on Saturday because of the storm.

The storm also forced protesters to postpone a rally against building a new jail in Chinatown.

Blizzard warnings were issued to Long Island and coastal New Jersey just south of the city about 10:15 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Salt spreaders were filled and began treating streets Friday morning, the Sanitation department said.

The Department equipped more than 2,000 trucks with plows and including salt spreaders with more than 280,000 tons of salt on hand.

Alternate Side Parking regulations remained in effect Friday.

Patch will update this story as the forecast changes.

Here's the forecast:

Today
A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Tonight
Snow, mainly after 10pm. Low around 19. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Blustery, with a north wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday
Snow, mainly before 4pm. High near 25. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Windy, with a north wind 23 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 16. Wind chill values between zero and 5. Blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.