Brooklyn and the rest of the five boroughs are under a Winter Storm Watch for much of the day Tuesday as forecasters say the five boroughs are on the verge of its first legitimate snowstorm in three years.
Between 5 and 8 inches of snow, with heavier totals possible in some spots, are expected to fall across the city on Feb. 13, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest snowfall will likely occur during the morning hours on Tuesday, with snowfall rates of potentially 1-2 inches per hour, accompanied by winds gusting up to 40 mph — making the rush hour commute rather dicey.
Ahead of the anticipated storm, Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City public schools will shift to remote learning for Tuesday — no snow day for the city’s 1.1 million public school students.
While earlier forecasts had much less snow expected in the city, the approaching storm system is now tracking further south, which will bring more cold air and snow into the city — thus driving up anticipated snow totals. If the approaching low-pressure system tracks more northward, however, snow totals will drop considerably.
The winter storm watch is in effect for New York City on Feb. 13 from 4 a.m. through 6 p.m., and with commutes Tuesday expected to be messy. The city’s Emergency Management department plans to issue a travel advisory later today, and the Sanitation Department will mobilize its fleet of more than 700 salt spreaders and over 2,000 garbage trucks equipped with plows to keep the roadways clear.
New Yorkers will likely be advised to avoid driving and use public transit Tuesday, and can visit MTA.info for the latest details on service changes. Alternate-side parking rules have already been suspended for Tuesday; the Department of Transportation notes, however, that metered parking rules remain in effect.
It has been a very long time since New York City saw a snowstorm like the one predicted for Tuesday. The last time Central Park recorded a snowfall of more than 1 inch was two years ago Tuesday, when 2.3 inches of snow fell on Feb. 13, 2022, and the city saw its first measurable snowfall in 700 days just last month.
