NYC Weekend Weather: Winter Storm 'Worst Case' Is Inches Of Wet Snow

NEW YORK CITY — A major winter storm threatens to dump 3 inches of wet snow on New York City starting Saturday.

Or maybe not.

Forecasts Friday afternoon for the weekend's expected winter storm still remain frustratingly unclear how much, if any, snow New Yorkers could see.

The city lies right on the edge where snow from the massive storm is predicted to fall, according to National Weather Service maps. The reasonable "worst case" is that 2 or 3 inches of wet snow fall in the metro area, a briefing by the service states.

"Snow amounts could be 1 to 3 (inches) higher than forecast for the city/coast if snow banding develops to the coast Sunday afternoon," the briefing states. "The fine details of this forecast will be refined as the event nears, but may not be evident until the storm is underway."

New York City is under a weather alert from the city's emergency management officials that warns of snow, rain, breezy winds and minor coastal flooding.

"Snowfall is expected to be wet, so full accumulation is not expected," a release states. "Slick roadways and minor travel impacts will be possible during periods of snow."

New Yorkers can expect a 100 percent chance of precipitation Saturday night, the National Weather Service's forecast states.

Rain, possibly mixed with snow, is assured that day, according to the forecast. Rain and snow are likely Sunday, mainly before 1 p.m., the forecast states.

Outside New York City, parts of New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley and south Connecticut could see up to 14 inches of snow, forecasters warn.

Here's the National Weather Service's forecast for the city, as of 3:39 p.m. Friday.

Friday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 9 mph.

Saturday
Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night
Rain, possibly mixed with snow. Steady temperature around 38. East wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday
Rain and snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Northeast wind 10 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 34. West wind around 9 mph.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 42.

Monday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 32.

Tuesday
Rain, mainly after 1pm. High near 50. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday Night
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 47. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of rain before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Windy.

Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Breezy.

Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 47.