A major winter storm is moving in to New York City and will continue through Monday morning. This has the potential to be one of the more significant snowstorms in recent years. Snow will start off light, but conditions will quickly worsen this evening. By around 7 PM, heavy snow and very low visibility are expected, making travel dangerous or even impossible overnight. Snow could fall at rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour at times. By the time the storm winds down Monday afternoon, most of New York City could see around 15 to inches of snow, with isolated higher amounts possible.

Strong winds will make the situation even more hazardous. Gusts could reach 50 to 70 mph at times, especially overnight into early Monday morning. These winds, combined with heavy snow, may create whiteout conditions and blowing snow that lingers even after snowfall begins to taper off. Power outages are possible, and residents should be prepared for difficult travel and potential disruptions to public transportation.

In addition to the snow and wind, coastal flooding is a serious concern for New York City. Strong onshore winds Sunday night may push water levels 2.5 to 3.5 feet above normal. This could lead to widespread minor to moderate coastal flooding around areas like New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay, and parts of the lower Hudson River. Some beach erosion and localized overwash are also possible. Flooding impacts may continue into Monday afternoon’s high tide cycle, though they are expected to be less severe than Sunday night.

After the blizzard moves out, the weather pattern stays active. On Wednesday, a passing system may bring light snow or rain to the city, but any accumulation should be minor. Another storm on Thursday could bring a mix of rain and snow, though significant accumulation is not expected for New York City at this time. Temperatures will remain cold enough for melting snow during the day to refreeze at night, creating icy spots on untreated roads and sidewalks through the week.