NYC Looking At 4-8 Inches Of Snow, Points North And East Much More Friday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Forecasters say a nor'easter slated to hit Friday could dump large amounts of rain and snow across the Tri-State Area.
A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon for the New York City-metro area and Long Island.
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CBS 2's Lonnie Quinn's forecast shows likely total accumulations of 4 to 8 inches in the city and areas of New Jersey directly to the west, and 1 to 3 inches farther south in New Jersey, but 8 to 10 inches on eastern Long Island; Fairfield County, Conn., and parts of Westchester County.
WCBS 880's Craig Allen also forecasts an early estimate of 4 to 8 inches of snow around the city by Saturday morning, with lower amounts in central and southern New Jersey, and much higher amounts – up to 1 foot – the farther north and east you go.
1010 WINS forecasts 3 to 6 inches in the city, most of Long Island and nearby north and west suburbs, and 1 to 3 inches south of Interstate 78. Eastern Long Island, Connecticut and northern Westchester County may see 6 to 12 inches, according to AccuWeather.
The National Weather Service is expecting even higher totals, with an estimated 6.8 inches in most of the city except for Staten Island, which the NWS says could see 4 to 6 inches.
The NWS says parts of far eastern Long Island could see up more than 9 inches, while Fairfield County, Conn., could see 11 inches.
In addition to heavy snow, the storm could bring with it 25 to 35 mph winds with gusts of up to 60 mph, Quinn said. The storm could result in blizzard conditions and dangerous driving conditions.
"There is the potential for significant snow accumulation," Quinn said.
Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding is also possible, according to AccuWeather.
The precipitation will develop southwest to northeast after early Friday morning, AccuWeather reported.
The storm is set to begin Friday at around 5 a.m. and increase in intensity by the afternoon. By 2 p.m., the precipitation in New York City will change over to rain or a wintry mix. By 8 p.m., the precipitation will change back to snow for the city and Long Island, CBS 2's Quinn said.
Areas north of Interstate 287 will see snow all day.
"What makes this forecast tricky is the rain-snow line will be right over New York City," CBS 2's Quinn said. "Which means if we pick up any morning snow, it could actually wash away."
The snow is expected to taper off early Saturday morning.
RESIDENTS, OFFICIALS GETTING READY
While it has been a while since a major snowstorm hit our area, no one has forgotten how to prepare for one. And no municipal government has either.
CBS 2's Dick Brennan reported at the Department of Public Works in Hackensack, Tony Sedita has whipped up a brew of something called salt brine, which when spread on the highways, works like a no-stick Teflon.
"It coats the road, creates a light film and when it starts snowing nothing sticks to the road," Sedita said.
Salt brine is not new; it has been around a few years. But it's catching on.
The New York State Thruway Authority is putting a similar pre-treatment on its highways, and local governments say it can save up to 30 percent on snow removal budgets.
"This is third season of pre-wetting our roads," said Jesse D'Amore of the Hackensack DPW. "It's been effective."
New York City officials and crews were also at the ready, with the Department of Transportation getting its 365 salt spreaders loaded for whatever the storm brings. And after two inches hits the ground, the plows come out.
Bergen County Executive Cathleen Donovan said workers are ready to tackle whatever Mother Nature throws their way on Friday, but big snow means big bills.
"Snow is expensive, let me tell you...it's going to cost a lot of money," Donovan said.
Costs could rise into the hundreds of thousands for Bergen County alone. Thankfully, they have a secret weapon that helps cut overtime and keeps sidewalks clear.
"We pre-treat our sidewalks and streets with a mixture of salt brine and calcium chloride," said Director of Public Workers and General Services Joe Crifasi.
It sticks to the streets for 48 hours and when it starts to snow, it will burn about two inches of snow per hour.
Meanwhile, snow shovels and snow blowers abound at the Home Depot in Hackensack, but what CBS 2's Vanessa Murdock found was people stocking up on salt to get ready for Friday's storm.
Local Residents Hit The Store To Prepare For Snow
"When the weather gets bad, you can't drive so you might as well do it now," Mario Betancourt said.
Betancourt was out with his buddy buying snow melt -- two 50-pound bags to be exact.
"I'm pretty sure that's enough," he said.
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