New York City Braces for Nasty Snowstorm; NYC Public Schools Closed
NEW YORK (AP/ 1010 WINS) -- New York City is bracing for a blast of winter weather, closing public schools and preparing plows and salt spreaders ahead of a predicted snowstorm.
Forecasts call for the storm to leave about 12 to 18 inches of snow across the New York metropolitan region. The snow is expected to accumulate 3 to 5 inches by sunrise on Wednesday. An additional 8 inches of snow is expected throughout the day on Wednesday with the possibility of 1 to 2 inches falling Wednesday night. The storm will also pack powerful winds, gusting to 40-45 mph.
The potential snowfall prompted officials to take the unusual step of canceling school for Wednesday for the 1.1 million students in the public school system. Snow days are rare, with the last two coming on March 2, 2009, and Jan. 28, 2004.
Terry Sheridan Reports on NYC School Closings
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city decided early so parents could have time to make alternative plans.
"You might as well make it right now and give people more time to prepare,'' he said.
Bloomberg said officials also want to avoid exposing students to the possible blizzard-like conditions forecast for the afternoon. It is easier on families to close school for the day rather than let children leave early, he said.
The early timing of the decision to close school was in contrast to the 2009 snow day. Bloomberg's administration decided relatively late -- 5:39 a.m. -- to call the snow day, prompting a last-minute scramble and complaints from parents and teachers, some of whom said they were not even aware that school was canceled.
Al Jones Reports on NYC Snow Preparations
Though schools will be closed, Bloomberg said city agencies would be open and that employees should show up to work.
He called on commuters to rely on mass transit instead of driving and warned anyone considering getting behind the wheel, "You're going to be stuck on the roads for who knows how long.''
In addition, the New York Archdiocese has decided to close all Catholic schools in the five boroughs.
There could be 4 to 8 inches of snow during Wednesday morning's commute before a second burst brings more snow during Wednesday afternoon.
Forecasters say the snow will end by midnight Thursday.
Road crews in some parts of New Jersey are running low on one crucial weapon in the fight against slippery roads after last weekend's storm: salt.
Steve Sandberg Reports on NJ Storm Prep
Officials say the storm that dumped two feet or more of snow in much of southern New Jersey depleted much of their supplies.
Local and county governments were counting on fresh deliveries quickly before the expected storm could drop another foot of snow on many parts of the state.
Unlike Saturday's southern New Jersey whopper, this one looked like it would also hit the northern part of the state. The National Weather Service said that by the time the snow stops falling late Wednesday, most parts of New Jersey would have about a foot of fresh snow.
Less was expected in Cape May County, where the snow was expected to mix with sleet and rain. The weekend's blizzard knocked out the power of most homes and businesses there.
Depending on the severity of the snow by Wednesday morning, NYC Transit was prepared to make some -- or all -- of the following changes:
-- Express sections of the A, E, D, F, N, Q, 2, 3, 4 and 5 lines will run local.
-- G trains will stop at Court Square in Queens instead of going to 71st Street in Forest Hills.
-- The 7 line will run fewer trains from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
-- The B, V and W lines may close down earlier than they usually do, which is midnight to 6:30 a.m. Alternatives for the B are the D and Q, the V's alternative is the F, and the W's is the N.
The Sanitation Department has suspended alternate-side parking rules for snow plowing. Parking meters will remain in effect throughout the City.
A Long Island Rail Road spokesman said that if the snowfall is more than 10 inches, it may have to close some lines.
Carol D'Auria Reports on LIRR and the Weather
Metro-North officials said they would deploy trains that can remove snow from the tracks. If the weather is too severe, they'll cut weekday service down to a Saturday schedule, with fewer trains running.
Photo left: Equipment that will clear LIRR switches and third rail of snow. Photo by Carol D'Auria
NJ Transit says it will cross-honor tickets on buses and trains all day beginning at 5 a.m. Wednesday. The agency also will keep all train station waiting rooms and buildings open for extended hours through Monday.
Heaters have been switched on to prevent snow and ice from building up on rail lines, and electrical systems have been inspected. NJ Transit has suspended all track work to enable crews to respond to disruptions caused by the weather.
Airlines had canceled hundreds of flights in anticipation of the blast of winter weather, said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokeswoman Jennifer Friedberg. As of early Tuesday evening, US Airways had canceled all the following day's operations at LaGuardia Airport, and Continental Airlines had canceled all flights out of Newark Liberty International Airport and most out of LaGuardia.
Tourists were having their plans canceled, too, as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island closed to visitors because of the expected weather. Some city hotels were offering discounted rates for travelers stuck in town because of the snow.
In the suburbs, MacArthur Airport had canceled all flights for Wednesday, and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano issued a statement urging all residents to stay home. The Department of Transportation was updating the state's 511 hot line with information on road conditions.
TM & Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO & EYE Logo TM & Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. TheAssociated Press contributed to this report.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
contrast to the 2009 snow day. Bloomberg's administration decided relatively late -- 5:39 a.m. -- to call the snow day, prompting a last-minute scramble and complaints from parents and teachers, some of whom said they were not even aware that school was canceled.
