Biggest Snowstorm in Years Coming Sunday before Deep Freeze Takes Over
Warmth and Rain on Saturday
If you like mild winter temperatures, soak them up Saturday, because the mercury takes a dive next week. Along with the warmth will come patchy light rain, so keep a rain jacket or umbrella close.
Saturday’s rain will be mainly an afternoon event. The morning will bring clouds, but not much else. Showers push into the region around lunchtime, and they are already out before dinnertime. The rain will be scattered and mostly light.
Those on the eastern end of Long Island could see some steadier pockets of rain set up, but even those will be fast moving. Tuck an umbrella in your bag before heading out for the day. But if you forget, a jacket with a hood should be more than enough to keep you dry.
Most of us will get less than a tenth of an inch — not much. On Long Island, where the rain will be more steady, expect between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. But overall, this round of precipitation will not have a big impact.
Winter Storm Watch Issued for Sunday
This weekend, Sunday will be the main event. A winter storm watch was issued for much of northeastern New Jersey, the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County in Connecticut into Monday morning.
Snow will move in before noon, as temperatures drop below freezing. With colder air moving into the region and timing favoring the latter half of the day, temperatures for most of us are back below freezing, meaning this is largely an all-snow event. Expect snow to move in by early afternoon, continuing through the evening, tapering off just after midnight.
Along the Jersey Coast and the eastern end of Long Island, where temperatures start off a bit milder, initial rain and snow mixing is expected before snow fully takes over, resulting in relatively lower accumulations at the coasts.
Otherwise, we expect a general 3 to 5 inches in the New York City metro area. Further inland parts of northern New Jersey, upper Hudson Valley and into Connecticut, 5 to 8 inches are likely. And some higher elevation areas of northwest New Jersey and the Hudson Valley could get as much as a foot of snow.
Any shift in the storm track will change the location of the highest snow accumulations, but the general outlook remains the same: We are expecting plowable snow across the tri-state on Sunday. Be ready for shoveling and sledding on Monday, just be sure to dress for the cold.
Deep Freeze Takes Over Next Week
The snow that falls on Sunday is not melting any time soon. Temperatures next week plummet into the teens and 20s for several days; morning lows fall to the single digits in the city.
We’ll experience the coldest blast of air of the season, with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday being the worst. Morning wind chills on those days could be sub-zero, making for downright dangerous conditions.
The end of January is climatologically the coldest time of year for Central Park. And this year is certainly delivering in that regard.
Conclusion
Get ready for a topsy-turvy weekend of weather, with a warm surge and accumulating snow on Sunday, followed by a deep freeze that will last for several days. Make sure to stay warm and stay safe during this cold snap.
FAQs
Q: Will the rain on Saturday have a big impact?
A: No, the rain will be scattered and mostly light, with most areas receiving less than a tenth of an inch.
Q: How much snow can I expect on Sunday?
A: The general outlook is for 3 to 5 inches in the New York City metro area, with higher accumulations expected further inland.
Q: Will the cold snap last long?
A: Yes, temperatures will plummet into the teens and 20s for several days, with morning lows falling to the single digits in the city.
Q: Is this the coldest time of year?
A: Yes, the end of January is climatologically the coldest time of year for Central Park, and this year is certainly delivering in that regard.
