New York City is in the middle of an unusually cold stretch, and the chill isn’t letting up just yet. Through the weekend, temperatures will stay well below normal, with wind chills feeling below zero at times – especially overnight and early in the morning.

Cold weather advisories are already in place for parts of the region and more cold weather alerts are likely later in the week as another surge of bitter air moves in. The coldest periods right now look to be late week into next weekend, so New Yorkers should plan for frigid conditions during commutes and outdoor activities.

News 12 is closely watching a powerful coastal storm expected to form off the Southeast U.S. coast on Saturday. There is a chance this system could bring snow and strong winds to parts of the New York City area, particularly eastern neighborhoods and Long Island. However, it’s still too early to know exactly how close the storm will come or how much impact it might have. Some forecast models show snow reaching the area, while others keep most of the storm offshore.

What is becoming clearer is that this storm could be very strong, even if it stays mostly out to sea. That means gusty winds are possible in and around NYC regardless of how much snow falls. At this point, specific snowfall amounts and wind speeds are still uncertain, but there is a moderate chance of measurable snow east of the city.

Forecast confidence will improve over the next few days, and New Yorkers are encouraged to stay tuned for updates as the picture becomes clearer.