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Weekend Will Feature Snow Followed By Frigid Blast

Updated at 12:42 a.m., Feb. 11, 2012

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – If you've gotten a little too comfortable with some unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, Mother Nature is about to give you a good reality check this weekend.

From Friday night into Saturday morning, the area should see mixed precipitation, which to change to wet snow by daybreak.  During the day Saturday, the snow will taper off around midday, with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches -- mostly on non-paved surfaces.

Snow totals are expected to be the highest on eastern Long Island.

One of the coldest air masses so far this winter will descend upon the the Tri-State area as well as most of the Northeast this weekend, but for many it will be gone as quickly as it came.

LINKS: Weather Forecast | Track The Storm | LISTEN LIVE: 1010 WINS | WCBS 880

New York City's Sanitation Department has issued a snow alert starting Friday at 10 p.m.  That means the department will be loading salt spreaders, attaching plows when necessary, prepping tire chains and notifying  supplemental personnel as needed.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is also canceling most weekend subway work because of the expected snow.  Most  trains will run on a regular weekend schedule, except for 1, 2, 7 AND L trains.

LINK: Current Information On MTA Train Service

NJ TRANSIT said it is also closely monitoring the storm to minimize delays and ensure reliable service.  The transit agency advises to check its website before starting your trip.

LINK: Current Information for NJ TRANSIT

As if cold and snow weren't bad enough for warm-weather fans, gusty winds will drive AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures well below the actual thermometer reading, and in many areas well below zero for a time.

The brutally cold temperatures will be a stark contrast to the relatively mild temperatures experienced for much of the winter.

Truly chilly air will hold off along the I-95 corridor until Sunday, where temperatures will stay in the 20s for most of the day. Northern New England will fare much worse, with temperatures only reaching the single digits and teens for highs in some areas.

The good news is that the cold air will not be able to "lock in," as relatively mild air for mid-February will push back in across the East for the new work week.

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