First winter storm of the year heads for NYC

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.

Winds will be at 15-30 mph, with temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Senior centers will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 3.

Track the route of snow plows in your neighborhood at Nyc.gov’s PlowNYC page.

UPDATE: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, January 2

Mayor Bill de Blasio just held a press conference regarding the impending snowstorm and it is clear that in his first full day in office, he does not want to replicate any of his predecessor’s issues with adequate winter storm response, as Michael Bloomberg experienced in 2011.

At an afternoon press conference, city officials say that an estimated 10 inches of snow is expected to potentially fall overnight.

In anticipation of the bad weather, around 500 flight cancellations are expected across all of the area airports, including JFK, LaGuardia and Newark.

Public transportation, particularly on subway lines with exposed train tracks, such as those on the B, D, N, Q, A, and 5 lines in Brooklyn and Queens are at risk of experiencing weather-related delays.

de Blasio says the decision on whether to keep schools open Friday won’t be made until early tomorrow morning, but that alternate side parking regulations have been suspended through Friday, January 3 to facilitate snow removal.

Also warming centers and homeless shelters will be open and drivers are advised to NOT drive if they can help it.

“Regardless of the number of inches of snow,” said de Blasio, “one thing we know for sure is that it will be very cold.”

New Yorkers can “help keep the streets clear” for Sanitation workers, de Blasio added, noting that residents are encouraged to check on neighbors, particularly senior citizens, and alert officers to homeless people stranded in the cold. He said plans to “be on top of” the city’s storm response efforts for as long as it takes.

“I believe government needs to serve all five boroughs equally, and that begins today with this storm,” said de Blasio, echoing the complaints from three years ago that city storm response inordinately focused on Manhattan and were delayed in the outer boroughs.

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Not 24 hours have passed since the start of the new year and a winter storm is already headed our way.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning citywide from 6 p.m., Thursday, January 2 to 1 p.m., Friday, January 3. Around 6-8 inches of snow, plus strong winds, is forecast.

“Blizzard warnings remain in effect from 6 pm Thursday night to 1 pm Friday. Winter storm warnings also in effect for the remainder of the area (times shown on graphic). Minor coastal flooding is possible with this mornings high tide, and then again with tonight’s hide tide. Much of the snow will be on the light side today, with increased intensity this evening and overnight. This is when we will see the majority of snow accumulations and dangerous travel.”

The NYC Office of Emergency Management (OEM) also issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory for both Thursday and Friday, warning New Yorkers that

“anticipated weather conditions will result in wet, slick sidewalks; roadways could quickly turn icy. Drive slowly, monitor weather and traffic, use major streets or highways, and keep the name and number of at least one local towing service. Pedestrians should avoid slippery surfaces, dress in layers, and maintain a heightened awareness of cars, especially when crossing intersections.”

NYCDOT and Dept of Sanitation have suspended Alternate Side Parking Regulations citywide tomorrow, Thu, Jan. 2, 2014, to facilitate snow removal.

Salt spreaders, snow plows and chains have been attached to Sanitation trucks and tires, said DSNY officials.

Average New Yorkers are also already stocking up on rock salt and shovels at area home improvement stores.