As much as six inches could fall in some places overnight and early Saturday.
Alternate side parking in New York City has been suspended citywide to facilitate snow removal.
All winter weather information and information about the City's response to the storm can be found by visiting the City's Severe Weather Website at www.nyc.gov or by calling 311. Residents also are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC alerts, which provide information about severe weather events and emergencies, by signing up for email or text message alerts at www.nyc.gov or following by @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
OEM strongly recommends those traveling to use of mass transit and avoid unnecessary driving during and immediately after the snow storm.
The MTA is making preparations to ensure safe travel across the region. MTA is advising customers to monitor www.mta.info for the latest service update.
Customers are also urged to utilize the MTA's new Winter Weather Guide that explains possible service adjustments for all MTA agencies during inclement weather.
NYC Transit Subways and Buses
Additional personnel will be brought in for snow fighting duty, the Incident Command Center will be up and running, and Local Storm Fighting Centers will be manned and activated.
Some weekend work has been canceled, however, the critical capital work being performed in the Steinway Tube will continue as planned, so 7 line riders should be mindful that planned service diversions remain in effect, meaning that N and Q line service is the best way to travel from Queens Plaza to Manhattan and shuttle bus service will be making the connection between Vernon-Jackson and Hunters Point Ave. stations and Queens Plaza.
New Jersey Transit
All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip.
To give customers additional travel options during expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring all day Saturday, January 21, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode - rail, bus (NJ TRANSIT and private carriers) or light rail. For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.
Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad
The railroads will activate switch heaters, treat switches and third rails with anti-freeze agents and will have personnel stationed at key locations. Snow fighting material is dispatched to stations and crews will be positioned to be ready to clear platforms and stairways.
The railroads will also operate electric trains equipped with special scraper shoes to help reduce icing on the third rail and ensure that electric trains can draw their power properly. Employees are also spraying door panels with anti-freeze and purging air brake lines of moisture to prevent them from freezing. LIRR station waiting rooms will be kept open around-the-clock to provide shelter for customers waiting for trains.
Bridges and Tunnels
MTA Bridges and Tunnels has prepared and put into position its fleet of 102 snow-fighting trucks and other pieces of heavy equipment. In addition, MTA Bridges and Tunnels uses a system of technologically-advanced weather sensors to help keep motorists safe. All seven MTA bridges use small, rocket-like atmospheric weather sensors that deliver highly-accurate weather information, including wind velocity, wind direction, humidity and precipitation, via wireless communication. Other sensors are embedded in the roadway and on the snow-fighting trucks to monitor icing conditions on the roadways.
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