Winter's Chill Hits NYC: What to Know and How to Stay Safe

Winter has arrived in the Tri-State Area, bringing snow and freezing temperatures. The storm started on Saturday night and will last until Sunday afternoon. Weather experts have issued a weather alert for the area. A winter weather advisory is in effect for New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, and southern Connecticut. This advisory started at 10 p. m. on Saturday and will last until 1 p. m. on Sunday. The snow will be followed by bitter cold, making driving conditions dangerous even after the snow stops. The upcoming snowstorm is not a major one, but it will bring the first measurable snow of the season to the New York City area. Recent Decembers in the city have seen little snowfall, so this storm could be significant. Here's how much snow to expect across the region: - NYC: 2-4 inches in general - Southern portions of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island: 4-6 inches - Long Island: 2-4 inches for the North Shore and 4-6 inches for the South Shore - Central Jersey and Jersey Shore: 4-6 inches - Northern New Jersey, Lower Hudson Valley, and Connecticut: 2-4 inches - Upper Hudson Valley and far Northwestern New Jersey: 1-2 inches The snowstorm will be at its peak from 12 a. m. to 7 a. m. on Sunday. During this time, the snow will be moderate to heavy, with snowfall rates reaching 1 inch per hour. Temperatures will drop into the upper 20s, and winds will start to pick up. From 7 a. m. to 11 a. m. on Sunday, the storm will start to wind down. Precipitation will end from west to east, with a general 2-4-inch snowfall anticipated. Higher amounts are expected south and east of the city, while lower amounts will be northwest of the city.As the storm departs, winds will increase, gusting between 25-35 mph at times. Temperatures will plummet throughout the day on Sunday, going from the 30s in the morning to the teens by Sunday night. Windchill values will be even colder, making it feel like the single digits and possibly sub-zero. The steep drop in temperatures will lead to the snowfall freezing rapidly. This may make road and sidewalk conditions very treacherous and dangerous. The Sanitation Department has issued a snow alert starting Saturday at 7 p. m. and lasting through 2 p. m. Sunday. This means highways will be brined before the snow falls to help reduce accumulation on roadways. More than 700 salt spreaders are ready to be deployed and will begin plowing when accumulation reaches 2 inches. MTA officials said they will be monitoring switches and tracks to make sure they are working properly. Crews will be salting and clearing platforms, and snow-fighting vehicles will be pre-staged to help with snow removal. Bus service may be adjusted based on road conditions in and around the city. NYC Emergency Management said a Code Blue will be effective from 4 p. m. Saturday through 8 a. m. Sunday due to the extreme cold. The city will be deploying special outreach teams to check in on at-risk New Yorkers, making sure they have transportation and someplace warm to stay. The Office of Emergency Management is also urging New Yorkers to check in on any neighbors who might need extra help with the cold and snow.