New York, NY – Drivers across New York City and southern Connecticut face life-threatening whiteout conditions this afternoon as 45 mph wind gusts whip falling snow across major highways, reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile before the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in New York, a Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Monday for southern Fairfield, New Haven and Middlesex counties in Connecticut, along with southern Westchester, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and parts of Suffolk County in New York. Additional snowfall up to 2 inches will combine with strong winds to create blizzard conditions across the region.
Travel is becoming increasingly dangerous on Interstate 95 through Fairfield County, the Hutchinson River Parkway in Westchester and major crossings into Manhattan. Blowing snow is sweeping across exposed roadways, bridges and overpasses, sharply cutting visibility and creating slick pavement. The hazardous conditions are expected to impact the Monday evening commute across the five boroughs and Long Island.
Strong wind gusts may snap tree limbs and down power lines, raising the risk of scattered outages from southern Connecticut through New York City. Utility crews remain on standby as winds continue to intensify.
Officials urge residents to restrict travel to emergencies only. If travel is unavoidable, carry a winter survival kit and remain inside your vehicle if stranded. Blizzard conditions are expected to ease after 6 p.m., but road conditions may remain hazardous into the night, and additional advisories could follow if visibility fails to improve.
