New York Weather: Tri-State Officials Brace For Incoming Wintry Mix, Polar Vortex Combo
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Officials on Tuesday were bracing the public to prepare for a wintry mix followed by brutally cold temperatures zeroing in on the Tri-State area.
We're only expecting about a trace to an inch of precipitation in the immediate suburbs, but several inches of snow are expected north and west of New York.
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Some parts of New Jersey could see up to six inches. Bob Dixon got an early start shoveling his steep driveway in Ringwood.
"You start by just using a broom to get some off the porch, and one thing leads to another," Dixon said.
Governor Phil Murphy ordered state offices to close on a rolling basis starting at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, in hopes of ensuring a smooth commute home.
WATCH: NJ Gov. Murphy Discusses State's Storm Preparations
"Once you get home, particularly if you're in the northwest part of the state, don't go back out," Murphy said, "especially as the temperatures begin to plummet."
Many residents were more concerned about the deep freeze that was anticipated to follow Tuesday's storm.
Wednesday is expected to be a transitional day, as an arctic air mass currently ravaging parts of the Midwest settles in across the Tri-State area causing concern for black ice. Wind chills are expected to peak in the teens during the morning to early afternoon hours before dipping to around 0° for the afternoon rush.
Latest forecasts show the polar vortex will settle in up until the weekend, bringing with it dangerously frigid temperatures and wind chills which will struggle to reach 0° on Thursday.
NJ TRANSIT says hundreds of cars and locomotives have been "winterized." The agency also has two jet-powered snow blowers available to remove ice and snow from tracks and critical switching areas as needed. 20,000 pounds of salt are on hand to help keep platforms free of ice.
In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority says they will likely activate warming devices throughout their system to keep switches warm on all Long Island Rail Road and Metro North Railroad lines. LIRR stations will also keep waiting rooms open 24 hours a day Wednesday through Saturday.
The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for New York City, with areas of black ice expected to develop Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Travelers are urged to use caution while travelling early Wednesday.
