Winter storm hits New York City, the Tri-State with rain and snow
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A major winter storm brought up to a foot of snow to some communities in Hudson Valley and New Jersey, sending residents scurrying to pull out their shovels and snowblowers to clear sidewalks and driveways
Only .2 of an inch fell in Central Park before the changeover to rain, so New York City's streak is up to 692 days without least 1" of measurable snow in a single calendar day.
Check here for the list of snowfall totals across the Tri-State.
How much snow fell across the Tri-State
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Update on New York roads
New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged people to stay off roads in areas that received heavy snow so plows and other crews can do their jobs.
She held a news briefing on Sunday morning.
Hochul said road conditions are slushy and wet across parts of New York City and Long Island but advised drivers to still be cautious.
"I know our friends in new York City have been waiting 693 days to build a snowman. They're going to have to wait a little longer," she said.
Travel restrictions lifted in New Jersey
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials has lifted the travel restrictions for commercial vehicles on all highways.
Normal travel has resumed on these highways as of 8:00 a.m.
I-78, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
I-80, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
I-280, entire length from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
I-287, entire length from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287
Interstate and State highways are in good condition, but with high winds and freezing temperatures there is a potential for roads to be slippery.
Eyewitness News got an update on conditions from Chris Feinthel, NJ DOT Assistant Commissioner of Operations.
New Jersey flooding concerns
Waves of torrential rain have the potential to cause major flooding along rivers in Northern New Jersey -- especially in areas where the ground is already saturated from a very wet December and this weekend's storm.
Lucy Yang reports from Bergen County:
Wet, sloppy snow in New Jersey
Nina Pineda reports from Wyckoff, Bergen County where several inches of snow fell before a change to a wintry mix and then rain.
Nina also caught up with a plow operator who said conditions were not so bad.
Rockland County residents dig out after storm
Kemberly Richardson reported from Nyack:
Heavy snow falls in Hudson Valley
Eyewitness News reporter Lindsay Tuchman checked out Nanuet, Rockland County and Monroe, Orange County.
Few power outages or airport delays
As of 6:00 a.m., the storm has not caused much in the way of power problems or airport delays. The list is below.
AIRPORTS--
LGA-- 6 cancellations, 6 delays
JFK-- 20 cancellations, 33 delays
Newark -- 67 cancellations, 19 delays
POWER OUTAGES-- (customers affected)
NYC-- 34
Long Island-- 68 (Nassau: 0; Suffolk: 68)
New Jersey - 1,014
Westchester-- 0
Orange-- 1
Rockland-- 3
Sullivan-- 0
Ulster-- 0
Connecticut-- 820
Snow around the Tri-State
Videos shared with Eyewitness News from around the region.
Rockland County, NY
Rockaway, NJ
Stamford, CT
Light snow in the City
By early evening, not even a half-inch of snow had fallen in New York City's Central Park.
Most of the New York City Metro area reported less than an inch, but further north and west, snow was piling up.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she expected two-thirds of the state to get 8 inches of snow or more, "fortunately missing some of our more populated areas downstate, the Long Island and New York City."
"If they get anything beyond rain, it'll be just a wintry mix of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters), but really for our Southern Tier ... it's going to be the first major snowstorm of the year and we're ready for it," she said.
Snow creating slick conditions
Snow-covered roads in parts of New Jersey by early evening, creating slick conditions. Eyewitness News captured video of a pick-up truck spinning out entering a lot where our news van was parked.
Ready for snow in Orange County, NY
Snow is expected to be heaviest in places like Monroe, Orange County in New York. Eyewitness News reporter Lucy Yang captured some of the first flakes in that part of the area, and snow continued to pile up throughout the night.
Heavy snow falls on parts of New Jersey
New Jersey's State Emergency Operations Center has been activated, but no state of emergency yet.
Authorities say they are closely monitoring the storm.
By late afternoon, the snow was falling at a steady clip in West Milford, New Jersey.
The Garden State deployed 1800 pieces of snow-clearing equipment, including 700 pieces of equipment on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.
Shoppers in West Milford said they have seen difficult circumstances with past storms, especially when power has gone out, so they made sure to stock up.
Governor Murphy urges NJ residents to stay off the roads
In New Jersey, travel restrictions were issued for commercial vehicles and Governor Phil Murphy urged residents to stay home if possible and use extra caution if they must venture out.
"Don't go out unless you need to go out. Stay off the roads. One of the utilities with whom I was in touch earlier to today said their biggest concern was not necessarily precipitation of snow, rain or heavy winds, but it is their ability to move their equipment around with other folks out on the road," Murphy said during a Saturday news conference.
The Office of Emergency Management will post regular updates at ready.nj.gov.
Preparing for snow in Westchester County
In the final hours before the winter storm, people across the Tri-State are preparing for the rain and snow.
Brine is already lining many streets, and many are grabbing last minute supplies.
"They are in a panic, as quite often happens. The most important thing is the salt, or ice melt," said one store worker. "Other things are the snow brushes for cars, the ice scrapers and shovels."
Westchester County could see more than six inches of snow from this winter storm.
"Westchester County, you never know," said Brenda Fuller, a customer. "So, we are preparing, we'll just be ready that's all."
Residents in Eastchester stocked up on supplies ahead of time.
NJDOT issues commercial vehicle travel restrictions on multiple Interstate highways
A commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple Interstate highways in New Jersey begins on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states. In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel on Saturday and Sunday.
The commercial vehicle travel restriction will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:
I-78, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
I-80, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
I-280, entire length from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike)
I-287, entire length from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border
NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287
The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:
All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order)
Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
Recreational vehicles
Motorcycles
This restriction DOES NOT apply to:
The New Jersey Turnpike
The Garden State Parkway
The Atlantic City Expressway
Hochul advises New Yorkers to get ready
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statement Friday afternoon urging residents, particularly those in the northern parts of the state, to prepare.
"New Yorkers are no strangers to snow, but it's always important to be prepared and to know how to safely handle incoming weather," Hochul said. "I urge everyone to pay attention to their local forecast and to plan travel accordingly."
New York City issues a Snow Alert
The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Saturday, January 6, 2024, beginning at 1 p.m. The alert is in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday, January 7.
While a "plowable depth" of two inches of snow is highly unlikely, more than 2,000 of the Department's collection trucks will be turned into snow plows if needed.
The NYC Department of Sanitation has 700 salt spreaders ready to go, as a slushier mix is expected.
Trash/Recycling Collection:
No delays to collection are anticipated at this time, neither for Saturday nor Monday. Residents may put material out at the curb following their normal schedule.
Alternate Side Parking
Alternate Side Parking regulations are already cancelled Saturday, January 6 due to Three Kings' Day. Parking meters will remain in effect.
Guidance for Open Restaurants
Open Restaurants roadway dining may operate as normal during this snow event if the business owner deems it is safe to do so.
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 nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311.
MTA Service
The MTA plans to focus primarily on Metro-North Railroad service during the storm Saturday.
Connecticut prepares for snowstorm
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont says it's been about two years since a major storm has hit the state.
"I think this storm's been a long time coming," Lamont said. "It's been over two years since we've had a storm of this magnitude, 6 to 12 inches. We've got a lot of salt piled up here; it's been piling up for a while (and) some shiny new snow plows."
State Transportation Commission Garrett Eucalitto said his department will have about 900 drivers on duty, including 630 snow plows. There will also be about 200 contractors working on the state highways. But he said that is fewer than in the past.
"We have about 115 vacancies right now in our driver pool," he said. "So our employees will come in tomorrow evening and they are not going to go home until the storm is concluded."
He said the state is also short about a quarter of the contractors it normally uses, because of difficulties they have had filling jobs.
NWS Advisories, Watches and Warnings
For weather updates wherever you go, please download the AccuWeather app.
Follow meteorologist Lee Goldberg, Sam Champion, Brittany Bell, Jeff Smith, and Dani Beckstrom on social media.
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