The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory for late Thursday and Friday.
The National Weather Service has forecast 6 to 8 inches of snow accumulation through Friday. Light snow is expected Wednesday evening into Thursday morning with an accumulation of 1-2 inches. Snowfall rates will increase late Thursday afternoon/Thursday evening and continue until Friday afternoon. The strongest winds and heaviest snow will be between the hours of midnight and 7:00 a.m. Friday, accompanied by frigid temperatures. The Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Thursday. The plow tracker is at NYC.gov/severeweather.
OEM encourages New Yorkers to take the following precautions:
For Motorists
* If you must drive a vehicle, monitor weather and traffic reports for the latest road conditions.
* Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible as these roadways will be cleared first.
* Drive slowly. Vehicles, including those with 4-wheel drive, take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
* Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck in the snow.
* If you get stuck on the road stay with your car and contact a towing company.
For Pedestrians:
* Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible.
* Wear layers including a hat, gloves and scarf to stay protected from the cold.
* Keep clothes and shoes dry.
* Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.
* Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
Additionally, you should:
* Make sure that you have poured adequate amounts of rock salt around your home and business to help prevent injuries yourselves and neighbors.
* Check on senior citizens and neighbors with special needs to ensure that they have adequate essentials and supplies, including perishables.
Tips for Staying Warm:
Exposure to cold can cause life-threatening health conditions. Avoid serious conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia, by keeping warm.
* Wear a hat, hood, or scarf.
* Wear layers, as they provide better insulation and warmth.
* Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.
* Keep clothing dry; if a layer becomes wet, remove it.
