Snow, Sleet And Freezing Rain Blow Into Tri-State Area

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A messy mix of rain, snow and sleet was expected to hit the Tri-State area as part of a winter storm system moving up the Eastern seaboard this weekend.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from midnight Friday night until 6 p.m. Saturday for New York City, Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.

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CBS2 meteorologist and weather producer Matt DeLucia said snow will move into the area from southwest to northeast after midnight Saturday morning, and during the overnight hour. The bulk of snow accumulations around the city will happen during that time, with a couple of inches possible by sunrise, DeLucia forecast.

Later Saturday, a changeover to sleet and rain is expected.

CBS2's Lonnie Quinn said those within the five boroughs of the city can expect snow to fall from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., a mix from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., and rain from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Totals are expected to top out at 1 to 3 inches in the city, on Long Island and in most other areas, with a band extending northeast-southwest from northwest New Jersey to the northern suburbs north of Route 287 can expect 3 to 5 inches.

Totals in Putnam County in New York, extending toward Sussex County in New Jersey, and in parts of Connecticut could top out at 6 inches or more.

The snow in northern and eastern Connecticut will likely be wet and heavy, said meteorologist Bill Simpson.

As CBS2's Matt Kozar reported, the salt-spreaders were at the ready all around the area Friday night, hoping to prevent a repeat of the major pileups that were brought on by black ice last weekend.

"The forecast has been extremely uncertain," said New York City Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. "Due to that fact, we will be preparing for a full plow event."

The salt spreaders hit the road at 7 p.m. Friday, and the Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert that started Friday at 10 p.m., meaning crews, salt spreaders and plows are being readied for any snow that may fall in the city.

"It means the spreaders will be deployed almost continuously," Garcia said. "They will only be headed back to the salt bins when they're empty."

"It's going to be a messy situation tonight and tomorrow," added Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joe Esposito. "Just, we ask you to use caution."

In all, the city Department of Sanitation have pressed into use 1,500 plows and 500 salt spreaders. The Office of Emergency Management has activated its situation room, where officials can deploy resources as they monitor the storm.

Alternate side parking rules have also been suspended for Saturday. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect.

As CBS2's Vanessa Murdock reported, public works departments all around the Tri-State Area were preparing for the worst despite a relatively slow snow season so far, and a forecast calling for a somewhat modest amount of accumulation this weekend.

In silhouette under the pristine blue sky earlier Friday, a plow stood at the ready in White Plains. The Department of Public Works there started preps on Thursday for the storm headed straight for the area.

Crews coated streets with a brining solution – composed of 30 percent salt that is visible upon a close view. The substance is the first line of defense against slick roadways.

As soon as snow starts to fall, the salt trucks go to work. On Friday, crews were loading salt, attaching plows and gassing up - every step intended to stay ahead of the storm.

"We're preparing for more than a 4-inch snow storm," said White Plains Public Works Commissioner Joseph "Bud" Nicoletti.

Nicoletti has been the commissioner of the Public Works Department in White Plains for 30 years, and has tackled about 500 storms. He admitted that the storm coming Saturday is not just tricky to forecast, but also tricky to treat.

"The biggest issue is whether it's two inches of snow, four inches of snow?" Nicoletti said.

It makes a difference. Before small plows can go to work, at least two inches of snow must stick. The larger plows need four inches.

"We, of course, make decisions on the run and adapt to whatever Mother Nature is throwing at us on the minute," Nicoletti said.

Connecticut also had plenty of salt and snow-treatment chemicals stockpiled around the state and a fleet of 632 plow trucks ready to go, Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick said.

He said crews have been pre-treating some highways and bridges, but there already is some salt leftover from recent, smaller storms.

In New Jersey, several inches of snow are possible from Friday night into Saturday. Snow is also possible Sunday night into Monday. Forecasters say the snow could mix with or change to rain at the Jersey shore.

NJ TRANSIT is offering systemwide cross honoring Saturday to help minimize any disruptions or delays that may occur due to the storm.

For more information, click here.

Meanwhile, salt was the hot commodity Friday night at a Home Depot in Clifton, New Jersey along with shovels and snowblowers.

"It's a constant traffic – it's in and out - everything is pretty much blowing out," said Home Depot assistant manager Liz Dougherty. "And when it blows out, we have another truck come in the back."

Bob Marriello spent Friday night stocking up on all the necessities.

"We're going to the supermarket tonight to make sure we have enough of everything -- milk, eggs, butter, bread - all nine yards," he said.

In Farmingdale, Long Island, Anthony Servidio was also preparing for the storm.

"Making sure I have enough gas. I have three bags of salt in the truck back here that I picked up at Home Depot," he said.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said all recreation programs at Parks Department Community Centers & Office of the Aging Community Centers were canceled Saturday. All programs taking place at Yonkers Public Schools were also canceled. For more information, click here.

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