NEW YORK – New Yorkers spent much of Tuesday preparing for a storm that could fall on a foot of snow in all five districts.
The nor’easter, for which the city is subject to a winter storm warning, could be one of the biggest snow events to hit the city in years. It could pour 6 to 10 inches of snow in the southern part of the city or 8 to 14 inches in the northern part. We will have a clearer idea of the total snowfall on Wednesday morning.
Snowfall is expected to begin around 3pm and 4pm on Wednesday, and become heavier at night and overnight before gradually decreasing on Thursday morning into the afternoon.
Gusts of wind can exceed 30 to 40 mph at times, causing snowstorms and poor visibility.
What you need to know
- 8 to 14 inches of snow is expected for the city, although some parts of the five neighborhoods may become less
- The winds will be strong, especially along the coast
- School buildings will be open Wednesday; there is a decision pending for Thursday
- Alternative parking will be suspended Wednesday and Thursday
New Yorkers went to the stores a day before the snow fell in hopes of crossing the lines to stock up on groceries. At one point, Trader Joe’s line to Chelsea wrapped itself around the block.
But when Julian Lopez packed his bags, he waited for the storm.
“We’ve had very easy snowstorms in recent years, and that’s early, so it’s good to get it out of the way,” Lopez said. “I love the snow. I’m from Cuba, we don’t have snow.”
Other buyers were not worried about the expected snowfall.
“I know when the pandemic came there was a lot of panic buying, but to be honest, I didn’t even think about the storm,” Jeremy Friedman said.
Some online shoppers say this is a good time for a storm like this, because it will encourage New Yorkers to stay safe and indoors as COVID-19 cases increase in the city.
“I feel like people should stay indoors and I think Mother Nature gives a clue,” Marist Acosta said.
How the city prepares: alternative parking, schools and more
Alternative parking will be suspended Wednesday and Thursday due to the storm, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday afternoon.
A warning about dangerous travel is expected to be issued later Tuesday and last until Thursday night.
De Blasio warned that snowstorm-like conditions are possible Thursday morning. New Yorkers are encouraged to stay home if they can.
If you are driving, we ask that you avoid Manhattan if possible and do your best not to be on the road during rush hours on Wednesday when snowfall begins. During a snowstorm on November 15, 2018, city roads, particularly in Manhattan, virtually stopped as snow began to fall during rush hour.
Face-to-face classes and bus service will run on Wednesday, as snow is not expected to begin until school is over, Blasio said. The city intends to make a decision on face-to-face learning on Thursday around 6pm on Wednesday, but parents are advised to prepare an alternative plan. Remote learning will continue Thursday regardless of whether school buildings are closed.
Health and hospital testing sites will remain closed on Wednesday from 2 p.m. They are expected to reopen Thursday at noon. But vaccine delivery will continue as planned, the mayor said.
The roadside dining room will be suspended from 2pm on Wednesday and restaurant owners will be instructed to remove equipment, especially heaters, from the streets. Food will be allowed on the sidewalk. The city expects all outdoor restaurants to be able to return Thursday night.
Food deliveries will continue as planned for New Yorkers in need.
What will happen to the bus service?
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is preparing for the storm.
The agency held a press conference shortly before de Blasio’s urged New Yorkers to avoid traveling during the storm.
“If the snowfall is heavy, please stay home if you don’t need to go out,” said Patrick Foye, president and CEO of the MTA.
The MTA says it is doing what it can to prepare, including laying chains on bus tires and preparing hundreds of pounds of de-icing materials and sandbags. Snowplows and vans are also being prepared to clean the streets and subway entrances. Long buses will leave the road and be replaced by better-equipped buses to drive under the snow.
“Staff and equipment are ready so that service can continue safely and reliably during the storm and its aftermath. Workers will be prepared to scatter salt and clean snow and ice platforms,” Foye said. “Crews are also waiting to remove felled trees that fall on the tracks and address any other weather-related challenges.”
The main concern is the possibility of suspending buses, especially with the metro closed between 1 in the morning and 5 in the morning, and trains on the ground during the day. The MTA said it will try to give as much warning as possible if there is any interruption in the service.
“Obviously, we want to avoid suspending bus service at all costs, especially at night, but we will prioritize safety,” said Sarah Feinberg, interim president of MTA New York City Transit.
Drivers can check MTA.info for the latest service updates.
Snow fighting for restaurants
While some New Yorkers aren’t bothered by the approaching storm, restaurants face a snow-related logistics and cost burden.
Brandon Bernard, 31, has seen eight winters in New York City during his time as a host at La Bella Vita in Little Italy, but knows that any significant amount of snow on Mulberry Street can be a problem for him. and neighboring companies. The roadway is only wide enough for a traffic lane and there is not much extra space to leave excess snow once it gets off the road.
“I remember a couple of years ago we had a lot of snow to the point that you couldn’t walk on the sidewalks,” Bernard said. “You had to walk down the middle of the streets.”
And walking down the street is not an option this year. Due to the pandemic and the current ban on indoor food, almost the entire block is full of outdoor dining structures, sometimes on both sides of the street. The structures didn’t come out cheap and Bernard worries that they could be damaged or that they have to be removed during the snow removal after this week’s storm.
“If it snows as badly as they say it will, you know … taking it off and putting it back on will cost twice as much,” Bernard said.
De Blasio and Edward Grayson, the acting commissioner of the city’s sanitation department, tried to put those concerns at peace during a press conference earlier in the day. According to Grayson, the department has spent the past few months examining the location of outdoor dining structures in order to plan any issues with snow removal.
“For our narrower locking responses, we have covers, which are just a small version of our salt-spreading plows,” Grayson said. “We went out and did site inspections to look for the width of the roadway. And we’ve adjusted our routes so we can use smaller pieces in areas where it’s narrower.”
But restaurant owners and employees aren’t the only ones worried about whether the expected amount of snow will prevent restaurants from offering al fresco dining as soon as they are allowed to. Some expect other New Yorkers to participate to help dig them if necessary.
“It’s as important to be as open as they can be,” said a New Yorker named Simone.
“I think people will help get rid of the extra snow,” she told Alyse.
——
Did you know that you can now watch, read, and be informed with NY1 wherever and whenever you want? Get the new Spectrum News app here.
——
Are you looking for an easy way to learn about issues affecting New York City?
Listen to our “Off Topic / On Politics” podcast: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Stitcher | RSS
—–
More coronavirus coverage
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
How hospitals are protected from the spread of coronavirus
The coronavirus spreads without symptoms
Coronavirus: the struggle to breathe
Experts say masks are still a must
Cuomo granted broad new powers as New York tackles the coronavirus