Snow Showers, Strong Winds Expected in NYC Tuesday

CENTRAL PARK, MANHATTAN — After a scary-warm November and December, and a record-shattering holiday season, the weather gods may at last bless New York City with its first blanket of winter snow tonight.

As of Tuesday evening, chances of snow falling on the city later in the night were hovering around 60 percent, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

(We’ll update this post with any changes in forecast, so check back.)

The NWS also issued a wind advisory throughout the city, warning of 10 to 20 MPH winds — with some gusts up to 50 MPH — between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Notify NYC sent out the following PSA to city residents.

During periods of high winds, residents should use caution when walking or driving high profile vehicles. Winds at these speeds can cause flying debris, turn unsecured objects into projectiles, and cause power outages.

To prepare, charge cell phone batteries, gather supplies, and turn refrigerators and freezers to a colder setting. Always stay clear of downed power lines. If you are affected by an outage, turn off all appliances and keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage. Do not use generators indoors. If you lose power and have a disability or access needs, or use Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and need immediate assistance, please dial 9-1-1. For the latest weather information visit www.weather.gov/nyc.

“This week will surely feel like winter in New York City as cold air from Canada will dive across the northeastern United States,” AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rathbun reported Monday.

This ”Alberta clipper storm system” could make for a snowy Tuesday night in New York, according to Rathbun.

His colleague, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, added:

“While the greatest risk for ground-whitening snow squalls will be in the swath from the Poconos to the Catskills and Berkshires, motorists should be prepared for a snow shower that could quickly slash temperatures and coat the ground to the Interstate-95 corridor during late Tuesday afternoon and evening.”

Although the possibility of snow is only predicted for Tuesday, the week will hit peak cold on Wednesday, according to the NWS. Temperatures that day are only expected to reach 27 degrees.

Full government forecast below.

Tuesday Night: Rain and snow showers likely before 10pm, then scattered snow showers between 10pm and 1am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Windy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a steady temperature around 27. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. West wind 13 to 16 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. West wind 11 to 13 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46.

Friday Night: Rain likely, mainly after 3am. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: Rain likely, mainly before 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Martin Luther King Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.