The National Weather Service estimates that up to 9 inches of snow will accumulate in the city, New Jersey and Westchester County by Friday. The mix of wind and snowfall will create limited visibility throughout the region, and motorists can expect slippery, snow-covered roads. Winds of up to 35 miles per hour are expected to create a windchill as cold as 20 degrees below zero. Residents are strongly urged to stay indoors, but those who must go outside were advised to dress warmly, carry emergency supplies and use public transportation. The Red Cross has advice staying safe in such weather.
Here’s what you need to know:
Transportation
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has suspended express service on the subway for the night; all trains are running local. Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road are operating on reduced schedules. Check the latest status here.
New Jersey Transit is operating on a reduced schedule, and the system is cross-honoring bus and train tickets systemwide. Keep up with alerts here.
Newark, Kennedy and La Guardia airports remain open, although hundreds of flights have been canceled, stranding thousands of passengers, many of whom were wrapping up holiday travel. If you are traveling, check with your airline before heading to the airport.
Passengers traveling up and down the Northeast corridor on regional bus operators like Megabus, BoltBus and Greyhound also face delays and cancellations. For more information, check with your carrier.
Roads
The Long Island Expressway and the New York State Thruway from New York City to Albany will be closed from midnight Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday. Motorists who enter the closed roadways could be charged with a misdemeanor that carries a fine and up to one year of jail time. Check traffic map or radio reports on the 1s or the 8s for updates.
The city has issued a hazardous-travel advisory effective until 1 p.m. Friday.
The city has deployed 450 salt spreaders since early Thursday morning, and 1,700 sanitation trucks have been outfitted with plows. Track the progress of city snowplows here.
Alternate-side parking rules have been suspended in the city to facilitate snow removal.
Schools
Mayor Bill de Blasio told parents to assume schools would be open on Friday, although a decision would not be made until Friday morning. All field trips and after-school activities were canceled.
Some colleges and non-public schools will be closed on Friday. View them here.
Some schools in Westchester County will be closed on Friday.
Hundreds of schools and businesses in New Jersey will be closed on Friday.
