Heavy snowfall in New York: highest level weather threat declared in city

The first severe blizzard of 2021 hit New York and other northeastern US regions with heavy snow and winds. What to expect next, told the publication CNN.

The combination of heavy snow, gusty winds and coastal flooding will make travel hazardous or impossible in many areas, and power outages are also possible. On the 5-level National Weather Service snow storm rating scale, New York City is expected to experience Level XNUMX (highest) storm weather.

How the storm develops

Lonely snowflakes in New York City late Sunday evening (January 31) intensified during Monday, snowfall in some parts of the metropolis can reach 1-2 inches (2,5 - 5 cm) per hour. By Tuesday morning, the storm can dump up to 21 inches (53 cm) of snow onto the city. If that happens, it will be New York City's heaviest snowfall since January 2016, when it received 27,5 inches (70 cm) of snow over a two-day period. It will also rank among the top ten snowfalls in the city on record.

The most difficult in terms of weather conditions is February 1. Heavy snow and gusts of wind at 40-50 miles (64-80 km) per hour will create extremely harsh conditions. In some areas, at the peak of a storm, it can even snow with a thunderstorm.

On February 2, the snowfall will continue, but it will gradually subside, and should stop by evening.

State of emergency

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a state of emergency on the evening of January 31 due to the approaching storm.

Residents have been encouraged to stay home during the storm - all non-essential travel will be limited from 6 am on February 1.

“This is a very dangerous storm,” the mayor said.

Only those who go to get medical help or medicine are allowed on the roads, as well as key workers such as first responders, pharmacies and grocery stores, as well as employees of restaurants and delivery services.

“This storm will bring heavy snowfall and make travel dangerous in all areas of our city,” de Blasio said.

The mayor also said medical appointments for the COVID-19 vaccination scheduled for Monday were delayed due to the storm, with a decision on Tuesday to be made at a later date.

Full-time education in the city's public schools was also canceled on Monday, and lessons were transferred online.

The alternate side parking rule was suspended on Monday and Tuesday.

Ahead of the storm, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also declared a state of emergency, closing all six Covid-19 vaccination mega-posts, government offices and transportation points in New Jersey.

Interruptions in the work of transport

More than 1300 flights to the United States were canceled due to the storm, according to Flightaware.com. Major hubs like LaGuardia, Newark and JFK are reporting 70% to 80% of their scheduled flights canceled on Monday.

The blizzard has also reduced bus and Long Island Railroad (LIRR) traffic and may cause delays on the New York City subway.

MTA officials said bus services will be cut and that they are willing to restrict some metro lines, especially high-speed ones.

The agency said the reduced weekend work schedule will apply for LIRRs from Sunday midnight to Tuesday evening. The only change to Metro-North, which has already been cut due to COVID-19, is that trains will not leave Central Station from 24:00 on February 1 until the morning of February 2.