Winter Storm Warnings Hit NY, NJ, With a Foot of Snow Possible: What to Expect

Winter storm warnings were issued for a swath of Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey ahead of a powerful system expected to dump up to a foot of snow in some spots and hit others, including New York City, with heavy rains and a slushy mess that’ll muck up commutes region-wide as you head out the door Tuesday morning.

The usual cast of winter storm characters (snow, rain, wind) should make their grand entrance by late Monday, though light snow or rain may fall earlier, and stick around through most of the day Tuesday.

But as far as what and when, it’s all about location.

Temperature is the differentiator with this system, especially for New York City, Long Island and neighboring suburbs. With highs expected in the mid-40s, precipitation that moves in Monday evening will likely start as heavy rain in the city. It could be intense at times, so caution is advised for the afternoon rush. The rain continues into the late night and transitions to snow for a few hours overnight as temperatures drop. Any accumulation will be minor, though.

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That won’t be the case for the Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey, which should expect heavy snow. The further north you look, the more you’ll find by late Tuesday and early Wednesday. While a foot is possible for Sullivan, Dutchess and Ulster counties, those in Westchester and Rockland, as well as Connecticut’s Fairfield County, could still see around 6 inches. Check the latest National Weather Service alerts here.

No matter the totals, the Tuesday morning commute will be nasty regardless. School cancellations and delays could become an issue. Here’s where you can find updates on those.

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Storm Timeline and Expectations

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NYC AND LONG ISLAND

• Monday: Periods of rain throughout the day
• Monday night: Heavy rain and possible localized flooding
• Tuesday: Rain mixes with and changes to snow; only minor accumulations

NORTHWEST NJ, CATSKILLS, LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND CONNECTICUT

• Monday: Snow for Pike/Sullivan/north Orange counties early; may change to rain midday
• Monday night: Hours of heavy snow, possibly seeing half a foot by morning
• Tuesday: Snow continues for most of the day, getting lighter by afternoon

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Winds will ratchet up as well, bringing gusts on Tuesday of 30 to 50 mph and maybe some stronger for Long Island. And while the storm pulls out Wednesday, the gusty winds should continue.

Temperatures tick back up the rest of the week with a mix of sunshine, clouds and a few showers for the St. Patrick’s Day holiday weekend.

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Track any approaching precipitation using our interactive radar below.