New York City is bracing for a severe winter storm, one of the most disruptive in years, which hit the region on Friday just as the post-Christmas travel rush peaked. The city is under winter storm warnings, with forecasters predicting heavy snowfall, hazardous travel conditions, and significant disruptions for millions of travellers.
Storm Details and Official Warnings
The snow began late Friday afternoon and was expected to intensify overnight into Saturday, dumping several inches of accumulation across New York City and surrounding areas. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for parts of NYC, New Jersey, and Long Island, forecasting total snow accumulations between 5 and 9 inches in the hardest-hit zones.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour at the storm's peak. The warning is active from 4 p.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday. Mayor Eric Adams, in a statement, urged residents to prepare for dangerous conditions. "As New Yorkers continue to celebrate the holidays... they should also prepare for hazardous travel conditions Friday into Saturday," he said, confirming that city agencies are coordinated and prepared.
Timing, Risks, and Extended Advisories
The snow was forecast to start Friday evening, intensify overnight, and taper off by Saturday morning, though flurries may persist. Forecasters also warned of a possible brief mix of sleet or freezing rain early Saturday, particularly between Philadelphia and New York City. Cold temperatures will limit snowmelt, increasing the risk of slippery and hazardous roads throughout the period.
Winter weather advisories have been extended to parts of southern Connecticut and neighbouring counties where lighter but still disruptive snow is expected. The Friday evening commute was predicted to be especially difficult as the snowfall intensified.
Major Travel Disruption and Emergency Preparations
The storm's timing could not be worse, coinciding with one of the busiest holiday travel weekends. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey expects nearly 15 million travellers to use major airports, bridges, and tunnels during the festive period. Winter weather alerts are active at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy, Newark, and Philadelphia International Airports, raising the likelihood of widespread delays and cancellations.
Major highways across the Northeast, including I-95, I-94, I-90, I-80, and I-91, are expected to be severely affected. Officials advise drivers to slow down, allow extra time, and check transport updates. In response, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) has activated the city's Winter Weather Emergency Plan. The Department of Sanitation is pre-deploying hundreds of salt spreaders to pre-treat roads, with ploughs on standby.
This storm is notably significant as it has been over 1,400 days since New York City recorded more than six inches of snow in a 24-hour period. Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to check road and flight conditions frequently as the dangerous system moves through.
