Storm To Bring 'Near Whiteout' Conditions To NYC, City Warns

SOHO, NY — The "bomb cyclone" snow storm that's taking aim at New York City will bring "near whiteout conditions" with brutal cold and ferocious winds, city officials warned Wednesday.

The city's sanitation department is preparing 2,400 workers and thousands of snow plows to attack the storm, which is now expected to dump between four and six inches on the city, said Kathryn Garcia, the department's commissioner.

City officials urged commuters to use mass transit and avoid driving on Thursday.

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"We are going to have exceptionally strong winds," Garcia said Wednesday. "It will be very dangerous driving weather during the day tomorrow."

The National Weather Service predicts that wind gusts on Thursday could reach between 35 and 45 miles per hour. The powerful winds combined with the snow and low temperatures will create "near whiteout conditions," Garcia said.

The bone-chilling temps also mean that the 280,000 tons of salt that the city is prepared to use won't be as effective in melting the snow as it would be if it were warmer, Garcia said. In addition, officials added, forecasters expect that the temperatures will get even colder after the storm, meaning that the snow won't be melting any time soon.

"The snow is not going to go away," said Garcia. "Because these temperatures are so cold, we’re just going to be able to pile it."

By Friday night, forecasters are predicting that the temperature will drop to just 4 degrees in the city.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for the city, which goes into effect on Wednesday night and last through Thursday evening.

School officials have not yet announced whether NYC schools will be closed or have a delayed opening on Thursday.

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