New York, New York – Drivers and transit riders across New York City and Long Island could face whiteout conditions by midafternoon as a blizzard drops up to 20 inches of snow and sends wind gusts to 55 mph through 6 p.m. Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in New York, a Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 1 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday for the five boroughs, Long Island, southern Westchester and coastal Connecticut including Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties. Visibilities may fall below one-quarter mile as heavy snow combines with powerful winds. The most intense snowfall and strongest gusts are expected Sunday night into Monday, with snowfall rates topping 2 inches per hour at times.
Major corridors including Interstate 95, the Long Island Expressway, Sunrise Highway and the Hutchinson River Parkway are expected to deteriorate rapidly. Bridges and elevated roadways such as the Verrazzano-Narrows, Throgs Neck and Whitestone bridges may see dangerous crosswinds and drifting snow. Conditions are likely to severely impact both the Monday morning and evening commutes.
Strong winds and the weight of heavy snow could down tree limbs and power lines, leading to sporadic outages affecting thousands. Officials urge residents to avoid non-essential travel and prepare for extended time indoors.
Snow will taper gradually Monday, but blowing snow may continue reducing visibility into the evening. Warnings remain in effect until 6 p.m. Monday.
