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Snow Coming To Tri-State After Deep Freeze, Dangerous Winds

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Low temperatures and high winds put the Tri-State area in a deep freeze Friday, and snow was headed into the area as night fell.

As of 9 p.m., the snow had made it as far east as Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but the Tri-State Area remained dry.

The temperature was 25 degrees in Central Park at 9 p.m., but the wind chill made it feel like 19. The temperature in Liberty was 12 degrees with a wind chill making it feel like 4.

CBS2's Lonnie Quinn reported the computer models showed the snow getting into the area around 2 a.m. Saturday. It is cold enough so that the precipitation will fall as snow across the area.

The city will likely see 1 to 3 inches of snow accumulation before the rain comes, while areas to the north will see 3 to 6 inches. To the south, only a coating is expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from midnight to 1 p.m. Saturday. During that time, the precipitation will transition from snow to rain in the city as the temperature rises to 45 degrees, but points north will likely only get snow.

During the transition, ice is expected. Up to a quarter inch of ice could accumulate and could mean danger. Inland New Jersey has the greatest risk for ice.

The New York City Department of Transportation has suspended alternate side parking regulations for Saturday due to snow operations. Parking meters must still be paid throughout the city.

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With these frigid temperatures earlier in the day, braving the elements was difficult.

"Too cold," Christina Shkolnik told CBS2's Ali Bauman. "I feel like my eyes are actually freezing, that's how cold I am."

After enduring city winters for 46 years, Priscilla Hoffman invested in some fur.

"It's great when your old enough to get these things," she said. "You just don't look so good in them."

Some say it's even too chilly for errands.

"I made my sister go get the coffee because it's so cold," said Maria Martin.

The cold created an uphill battle for firefighters in New Brunswick Thursday night. Water from their hoses froze into icicles as they put out flames at a three-story building.

The chill made for a scary night in Mamaroneck as well after winds brought down a tree limb and left 50 homes without power or heat for seven hours.

And on Friday morning, the blasting winds fueled a fire that destroyed half a dozen businesses on Main Street in the heart of historic Sag Harbor -- including a century-old movie theater.

"It's absolutely freezing out," said resident Mary Vasami. "I'm worried about the pipes freezing too, that's always a concern."

The Red Cross advises people to keep flammable items away from space heaters, fireplaces and stoves and says never use an oven to heat a home and do not leave fireplaces or portable heaters unattended.

The Red Cross says since Thursday, it's aided with 18 incidents, mostly home fires, which is more than usual.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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