New York is bracing for a disruptive winter storm expected to sweep into the region on Friday afternoon, threatening to snarl one of the country’s busiest travel corridors with heavy snow, sleet, and rapidly icing roads.

Forecasters warn that the timing of the system, arriving during a packed post-holiday getaway period, could trigger lengthy delays at New York City’s major airports and make driving treacherous from the city out through the wider tri-state area and upstate.

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Storm Timeline: Snow Builds Friday, Lingers Into Saturday

Forecast models tracked by local television meteorologists and the National Weather Service indicate that snow will begin developing across western and central New York by midday Friday, then spread east toward the New York City metro area by late afternoon and early evening.

For the five boroughs and nearby suburbs, light snow is expected to start around the evening rush, with intensity ramping up after sunset.

The heaviest snowfall is projected overnight Friday into early Saturday, with many parts of the metropolitan region likely to see their most hazardous conditions between midnight and roughly 6 a.m.

Forecasters say that during this window, snowfall rates could reach around an inch per hour in the city and nearby suburbs, with locally higher rates north and west of the five boroughs.

By Saturday morning, the storm center will begin to pull away, but forecasters caution that lingering light snow and flurries, combined with sub-freezing temperatures, will sustain slick and icy surfaces well into the first half of the day.

A secondary system bringing milder air and rain late Sunday could then lead to melting snow, slush, and renewed travel difficulties as holiday travelers return home before the workweek.

Accumulations and Icy Mix Vary Across the Region

Projected snow totals vary across the state and region, but the overall picture is for a substantial, shovel-worthy snowfall in and around New York City coupled with a potentially dangerous wintry mix farther inland and to the southwest.

New York City Emergency Management, in a travel advisory issued December 24, said the National Weather Service is calling for approximately 3 to 7 inches of snow across the five boroughs, with locally higher amounts possible during heavier bands.

Local broadcast forecasters are slightly more aggressive for parts of the tri-state area, suggesting up to about 6 inches for New York City proper and as much as 8 inches for northern New Jersey and the lower Hudson Valley. At higher elevations north and west of the city, totals may push beyond that range as colder air supports steadier, all-snow conditions.

Farther upstate, guidance from state meteorologists and regional outlets indicates that the Southern Tier could see on the order of 4 to 6 inches, while the Mid-Hudson region has the potential for up to 8 inches.

In western New York and the Finger Lakes, the picture is more complex: forecasters expect a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, heightening the risk of ice-glazed roadways and power interruptions. In these areas, even lower snow totals may mask more serious hazards from ice accretion and reduced traction.

Southwest of the immediate New York City region, especially toward parts of Pennsylvania and perhaps southern New Jersey, slightly warmer air aloft may introduce periods of sleet and freezing rain into the mix. Even a thin glaze of ice on roadways in these transition zones could turn highways and secondary roads unusually dangerous Friday night into early Saturday.

Holiday Travel at Risk on Highways and Local Roads

The timing of the storm is of particular concern for transportation officials because it coincides with a heavy wave of post-Christmas holiday travel. The Friday afternoon and evening period is traditionally among the busiest on the roads as travelers head home, depart for New Year’s plans, or embark on extended winter vacations.

Governor Kathy Hochul on December 24 urged New Yorkers to reconsider or adjust their travel plans in light of the incoming storm, warning that rapidly dropping temperatures and a surge of moisture will combine to create flash-freezing and sharply deteriorating road conditions in many parts of the state.

State officials have highlighted the risk that wet pavement from earlier in the day could turn to black ice as the mercury falls Friday evening, especially on untreated or elevated surfaces.

In New York City, emergency managers are advising residents to avoid driving if at all possible and to give sanitation and road crews space to operate. For those who must be on the road, authorities emphasize slowing down, increasing following distance, and packing winter emergency kits that include blankets, water, nonperishable food, and phone chargers.

Upstate, county-level emergency managers are echoing those messages, noting that rural roads may be plowed less frequently than major interstates, and that drifting snow and poor visibility could further complicate overnight travel.

Across the wider Northeast corridor, from New Jersey and Connecticut through the Hudson Valley and beyond, a patchwork of winter weather advisories and watches signals that hazardous driving conditions are expected on key interstates including I-95, I-87, I-81, and I-84. Travelers planning long drives are being encouraged to build in extra time, check conditions along their entire route, and be prepared to delay travel if the forecast or road reports worsen.

Airports Brace for Cancellations and Long Delays

With snow expected to intensify during the Friday evening push and continue overnight, airlines and airport operators across the New York region are preparing for a difficult start to the weekend. John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty, which together rank among the busiest airport systems in the United States, are particularly vulnerable when winter storms coincide with peak travel periods.

While modern fleets and snow management operations allow many flights to continue in moderate winter conditions, heavy snowfall rates, low visibility, and the need for repeated de-icing can all slow operations.

Industry observers say that airlines are likely to begin proactive schedule adjustments and cancellations as forecasts solidify, in an effort to minimize the number of travelers stranded on planes or in terminals once the worst of the weather arrives.

Airport authorities and carriers are urging passengers with flights scheduled from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning to monitor their airline apps or text alerts closely and to verify flight status before leaving for the airport. Many airlines are offering fee waivers for customers who choose to rebook away from the storm’s peak, a common step when major weather disruptions are anticipated in hubs like New York.

Within terminals, travelers should prepare for longer lines at check-in and security, reduced seat availability near gates, and the possibility of overnight stays if connecting flights are missed. Officials recommend packing medications, essential toiletries, and chargers in carry-on luggage rather than checked bags, so that travelers retain access to critical items even if their baggage is delayed.

City and State Deploy Winter Response Plans

New York City Emergency Management has activated the city’s Winter Weather Emergency Plan in anticipation of significant snowfall and possible ice. As part of that plan, the Department of Sanitation is issuing a Snow Alert and pre-deploying hundreds of salt spreaders to pretreat roadways, bridges, and critical bus routes before the first flakes begin to accumulate. Plow operators are scheduled and ready to be dispatched citywide as soon as snow starts sticking.

City officials emphasize that while crews will focus on primary routes, including major avenues, bridges, highway access points, and routes to hospitals, schools, and transit hubs, residents and businesses are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their properties.

Pushing snow back into the street or bike lanes is prohibited, as it interferes with plowing operations and can create dangerous ridges and refrozen patches for cyclists and motorists alike.

At the state level, Governor Hochul’s administration has positioned additional plows, tow vehicles, and emergency response assets along high-risk stretches of interstate and state highways.

Utility crews are on standby in regions where ice accumulation could produce downed tree limbs and power lines, and state police are preparing for an increase in disabled vehicles, minor crashes, and weather-related calls as conditions deteriorate.

Public transit agencies in the metropolitan area are likewise preparing for the storm, testing switch heaters on commuter rail lines, readying de-icing trains, and planning for possible localized service disruptions if snow drifts or ice affect overhead wires or third rails.

Riders are being told to check real-time service alerts on the morning and midday Saturday before setting out, especially on outlying commuter routes that may see heavier snow.

What Travelers Should Do Now

With forecasts firming up as of Thursday, officials and travel experts say now is the time for travelers to make contingency plans rather than waiting until conditions worsen.

Those with flexible schedules are encouraged to consider shifting departures earlier on Friday, before the heaviest snow moves in, or pushing trips to later in the weekend once plows have had time to clear roads and airline schedules have stabilized.

Travelers deciding to proceed with Friday evening journeys should prepare for the possibility that a drive or flight could take significantly longer than normal. On the roads, that means checking gas levels in advance, stocking vehicles with extra warm clothing, snacks, and water, and ensuring windshield wiper fluid is full.

At airports, it means arriving early to navigate potentially crowded terminals, carrying essential items in a small bag, and downloading airline and airport apps to stay updated as conditions change.

Local authorities also urge New Yorkers to stay informed through official alert systems. Residents can sign up for state and city emergency notifications, including weather and transit advisories, via text or smartphone app.

Monitoring forecasts throughout Friday will be especially important because slight changes in the storm’s track or intensity could shift snow totals, the extent of any icy mix, and the duration of hazardous conditions.

For those not traveling, the storm offers an opportunity to check winter preparedness at home, from confirming that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working to gathering rock salt, shovels, and flashlights.

Officials note that staying off the roads during the storm’s peak will not only improve safety for individual households but also allow plows, ambulances, and fire trucks to operate more efficiently.

FAQ

Q1: When is the storm expected to arrive in New York City?
The current forecast calls for light snow to begin in the New York City area late Friday afternoon or early evening, with intensity increasing after sunset and the heaviest snow falling overnight into early Saturday.

Q2: How much snow could New York City and nearby suburbs receive?
Most forecasts indicate around 3 to 7 inches of accumulation across the five boroughs, with locally higher totals possible north and west of the city where slightly colder air supports steadier snow.

Q3: Will this storm affect road travel during the holiday weekend?
Yes. Road conditions are likely to deteriorate quickly Friday evening as temperatures drop and snow intensifies, leading to slick and icy surfaces, reduced visibility, and longer travel times across much of the region.

Q4: Are airports in the New York area likely to see delays and cancellations?
Given the timing and expected snow rates, passengers should anticipate significant delays and some cancellations at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.

Q5: What are officials recommending for people with travel plans on Friday night?
State and city officials are advising travelers to avoid or postpone nonessential trips during the height of the storm, build in extra time if travel is unavoidable, and closely monitor airline, transit, and weather updates.

Q6: Will upstate New York see the same conditions as the city?
Upstate regions will also be impacted, but conditions will vary. Some areas are expecting moderate to heavy snow, while others, particularly in western New York and the Finger Lakes, may see a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain that could create significant ice hazards.

Q7: What steps are New York City agencies taking to prepare?
The city has activated its winter weather plan, with sanitation crews pretreating roads, staging salt spreaders and plows, and coordinating with transportation and emergency agencies to respond to crashes, stalled vehicles, and other storm-related incidents.

Q8: How can residents and travelers stay informed during the storm?
People are encouraged to follow official weather updates from the National Weather Service, sign up for city and state alert systems, and check real-time information from transit agencies and airlines throughout the storm period.

Q9: What should drivers keep in their vehicles in case of delays or breakdowns?
Authorities recommend a winter kit that includes warm clothing or blankets, water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, a phone charger, basic first aid supplies, and, if possible, traction aids such as sand or kitty litter.

Q10: Will conditions improve quickly once the snow stops on Saturday?
Even after snow tapers off Saturday morning, cold temperatures are expected to keep roads and sidewalks icy, so slick spots and slowed travel are likely to persist until crews can fully clear major routes and some melting occurs later in the weekend.