Just after NYC saw its first substantial snowfall of the year last week, it looks like more is on the way!
A powerful nor’easter — a winter East Coast storm that is created when polar jet streams from Canada combine with warm air from the Gulf of Mexico — is headed to NYC and New Jersey this week. It will hit Wednesday evening going into Thursday morning.
Though it’s still too early to tell exactly where the storm will blow and how much snow will be significant, NBC New York Storm Team 4 has said that heavy snow will be in the forecast. It could even reach up to a whopping 12 inches, making it one of the most intense winter storms of the past few years.
Wind will also be a problem, with wind gusts up to 60 mph that could create snow drifts and blow large amounts around.
The storm may even qualify as a blizzard when we reach the day-of, which is defined by the National Weather Service as “sustained wind or frequent gusts of at least 35 mph and considerable falling or blowing snow in an area for at least three straight hours.”
Wondering where winter was this past weekend? Well, here it is. SIGNIFICANT snow expected for parts of the area Wednesday-Thursday.
❄️❄️❄️#snow #forecast #storm #winterweather #NBC4NY pic.twitter.com/OwFzwLCb3a— Storm Team 4 NY (@StormTeam4NY) December 14, 2020
AND though snow isn’t necessarily expected in NYC today, it will be cold and rainy, and could see some flurries or a wintry mix:
As for Wednesday, confidence continues to increase in the potential for the area to be impacted by a coastal storm, although it is still too early to discuss specific snowfall totals, etc. pic.twitter.com/oFA2vHwMsF
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) December 13, 2020
The NYC Department of Sanitation issued a “Winter Operations Advisory,” which means that the city’s “snow-fighting equipment” is at the ready. If there is over an inch of snow predicted (like for Wednesday/Thursday), they will issue a “Snow Alert,” which means that outdoor street dining must close. With indoor dining now banned again as well, it will be a tough week for NYC restaurants.
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