Snow triggers winter weather alerts in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
The first major snowstorm of the season brought school closures, power outages, and heavy snow to our region, including to areas that badly needed it.
Winter weather alerts
The Tri-State Area is on Red Alert this morning due to accumulating snow that will impact commuters, especially inland and northwest of New York City.
Winter weather advisories are in effect across parts of northern New Jersey and New York's Hudson Valley, where snowfall totals are reaching 2 to 6 or more inches.
Winter storm warnings are in effect across Sullivan and Ulster counties in New York, where snowfall totals are reaching 2 inches up to one foot.
Snow, rain totals so far
Parts of northern New Jersey woke up to snow already on the ground Friday, which means roads could be slick. So take it slow behind the wheel.
The snow grew to more than a foot in some places. Click here to check the latest snow totals from this storm.
Winter storm timeline and weekend forecast
Friday: Rain and snow fell overnight Thursday, as the storm approached New York City. Strong bands of rain and snow reached parts of New Jersey, while Long Island dealt with mostly rain.
Expect wraparound rain and snow during the day, with the most accumulation in communities over 500-foot elevation. High temperatures will be around 40 degrees, but it will feel more like the 30s.
Friday night: Leftover rain and snow tapers off after 5 p.m. Wind gusts could reach 30 mph.
Saturday: More leftover showers in the morning, then windy with some lingering clouds. Highs will be near 50, but it will feel like the 40s.
Sunday: Cool and breezy with highs in the low 50s.
Monday: A mix of sun and clouds with highs in the 50s.
Snow, rain bring relief, and new challenges
The snowfall, though needed, brought new challenges. The storm caused widespread outages, with Orange & Rockland Utilities reporting thousands without power at one point.
Utility crews were working all morning to fix a transformer in the area brought down by the heavy, wet snow. Some residents said they woke up hearing the electricity click off, and tried to get their generators going to warm their frigid houses.
The same area has been battling wildfires for weeks, with flames scorching thousands of acres. Fire rangers said the snowfall has helped slow the spread, but warned the fires are still not fully contained, although they're 90% of the way there.
"This weather event we got is sort of a best-case scenario. We got long, steady rain followed by a pretty good amount of snowfall. The snowfall probably the best case, going to kind of give us snow, relief, moisture, and really release fuel, moisture," Forest Ranger Chuck Kabrehl said. "I don' think we'll be able to call this fire officially out for quite a while... I'm sure it will continue to smoke for a long time."
Homeowners were filling up containers of gas for their generators.
"We were dealing with the fires. Hopefully it gone now. And we have no gas. There was a transformer explosion last night at 2 o'clock in the morning. Now there's no power at the gas pump," Kevin Walter said.
The snow forced many school districts to delay opening, or cancel classes.
"My boss texted us at, I don't know, before 4 or 5 this morning," Monroe school security officer Bill Denniston said. "Whole day is closed. All the schools, Monroe-Woodbury district."
In Monroe, snow reached more than eight inches, transforming the town into a winter wonderland, but also forcing schools in the district to close for the day. Plows were out since early morning, and officials are asking drivers to stay off the roads while cleanup continues, and as crews work to restore power.
Officials urge residents to stay safe and report any downed lines immediately.
And of course, some were thrilled with the snowy weather.
"I hope it snows more. I love the snow. Christmas spirit," one person said.
Others, not so much.
"First of the season. It's way too early for snow," Monroe resident Jimmy Cosenza said.