STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The worst of Saturday’s winter storm is expected to occur during the afternoon hours when rain will turn to snow, according to a National Weather Service (NWS) forecaster.
The area is already under a wind advisory for all Saturday into the early morning hours Sunday. Due to the winds, the MTA briefly closed the upper-level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in both directions on Saturday morning before reopening around 11:40 a.m. The MTA then closed the upper-level once again around 12:30 p.m. A reduced speed advisory is in effect for drivers crossing the bridge as of 1:30 p.m.
NWS warns New Yorkers that temperatures will tumble as the day progresses, and will bottom out in the teens and 20s this evening.
“In the mid-afternoon, there could be a few hours of snowfall,” said Andrew Orrison, a meteorologist at NWS. “Then it should taper off as get into the evening.”
Orrison said the storm should pull away quickly after the evening hours, but cautioned that high wind gusts will still be present until Sunday morning.
Strong wind gusts and low temperatures will make for low visibility and icy roads. Total snow accumulations of one to two inches is predicted, according to latest forecast.
Due to anticipated high winds, all empty tractor-trailers and tandem trailers are prohibited from the upper-level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, as well as all other MTA bridges. Motorists are asked to drive at reduced speeds.