Snow Total Projections Rise As NYC Braces For Post-Christmas Storm

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Be prepared for difficult travel conditions on Friday evening as a winter storm remains on track to bring up to 9 inches of snow to New York City.

The snow is expected to start falling about 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, and continue through the night into Saturday morning. The heaviest snow is anticipated between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., the weather service said, and will start out dry and powdery but become heavier and wetter as the storm progresses.

The storm is expected to bring 5 to 9 inches of snow, with more than 10 inches where the heaviest bands set up, the weather service said. Up to 2 inches of snow could fall per hour.

New York City remains under a winter weather warning beginning at 4 p.m. and running through 1 p.m. on Saturday. The warning extends through southeastern New York, northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut.

"Travel could be very difficult," the weather service said, due to snow-covered roads and reduced visibility from falling snow. "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency."

The location where the heaviest snow bands set up remains a bit uncertain, the weather service said, and that will affect which areas receive the most snow. Snow totals also could be lower if some sleet mixes in, the forecast said.

The latest timing of the storm is below.

Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Wind chill between 15 and 25. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 31 by 3 a.m. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Wind chill between 20 and 30. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Calm wind.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Calm wind.