More Snow Headed Our Way; Winter Storm Warning Expanded
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- March is still coming in like a lion as more snow is set to move in Thursday morning, with totals of 4 to 8 inches expected for most of the area.
The latest system was set to strike just a couple of days after a wintry mix of snow and rain left roads and sidewalks a slushy mess.
A winter storm warning has now been broadened to include all five boroughs of New York City, as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties and central and southern New Jersey. The warning begins at 7 p.m. and continues for 24 hours all the way up until 7 p.m. Thursday.
CBS2's Lonnie Quinn reported at 11 p.m. that the rain was expected to linger for a longer time than originally expected – turning to snow around 3 a.m. But that does not mean the forecast snow totals will drop – in fact, they have grown higher since the afternoon forecast.
Quinn expects 4 to 8 inches for all five boroughs of New York City, as well as areas of New Jersey to the west and south, and Long Island. More modest totals of 2 to 4 inches are now not expected to be seen anywhere south of Interstate 287.
The snow will continue straight on through the morning commute, Quinn reported.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management has issued a hazardous travel advisory for the morning rush, warning of dangers on the roads caused by reduced visibilities, icy roads, and snow accumulations.
The OEM said snow could fall at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour during the morning rush, reducing visibilities to a quarter mile or less.
Northern New Jersey, the northern suburbs, and southern Connecticut remain under a winter weather advisory.
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In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm.
New Jersey state offices will delay opening until 11 a.m. due to the storm, according to the state Office of Emergency Management.
News of another round of wintry weather has left many people frustrated and annoyed.
"I've had it," said Tarrytown resident Helen Volpe. "I started to cry when I heard Thursday's weather forecast for another 3 to 6 inches."
"Every couple of days, it's more snow and more shoveling," said Queens resident Rose Perez.
The latest bout of snow and freezing rain Tuesday turned roads into a slick and slushy mess across the Tri-state area.
In Rockland County, an officer had to help a driver whose car got stuck in the slush. Across the Hudson in Westchester County, traffic on Route 9 was brought to a standstill for miles between Irvington and Tarrytown.
As the storm changed over to rain, massive puddles flooded parts of the Grand Central Parkway.
Forecasters say the heavy snow Thursday is likely will create travel delays. NJ TRANSIT says it will offer systemwide cross honoring on Thursday.
On top of what could be a rough commute on Thursday, the wintery weather was creating a lot of other problems on Wednesday night.
Potholes were making the ride in West New York, New Jersey bumpy and dangerous with divots even harder to spot in the dark, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported from Mobile2.
Earlier in the day, potholes punctured tires on the New Jersey Turnpike, one after another forcing drivers to guide their cars to the side of the road.
"There were already six or seven cars ahead of me that hit the same pothole, probably been about eight or nine after that," Ty Redmond said.
In the city on 28th Street between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, the already-crumbling asphalt gave way as a result of fluctuating temperatures and heavy use.
The weather caused an altogether different problem in Chelsea, where smoke billowed form the ground after a fire started in a manhole at 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue.
"I saw a lot of smoke, so when I was on the street, I saw a lot of smoke and the smell was so strong," witness Javier Diaz said.
The incident forced nearby buildings to evacuate over concerns about dangerous carbon monoxide levels.
No one was injured, but the street was shut down for hours.
More Snow Headed Our Way After Snow, Rain Creates Slushy Mess
In Connecticut, Wednesday's rain was washing away a lot of the slush ahead of more snow and bitter cold, WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported.
"Last year, we had bigger storms," said Billy, who was working a front-end loader in Darien. "The problem this year is the ice."
Meanwhile in Greenwich, the Public Works Department might ask the town for additional funding after exhausting its $1 million snow-removal budget, the Greenwich Time reported.
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