Snow Expected To Make For Rough Morning Commute

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Winter technically has not yet begun, but some Tri-State residents are already sick and tired of snow.

The events coming Tuesday morning are not likely to make them feel better. And on a more serious note, the coming snowstorm also may cause some trouble for the morning commute.

As CBS 2's Lonnie Quinn reported Monday night, the snowstorm is hardly a blizzard. But it has prompted a winter weather advisory for most of the entire Tri-State Area between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The only area not affected was the South Shore of Long Island, where rain was more likely.

As of Monday afternoon, the storm was in Chicago, where it made for a messy Monday evening commute. The snowstorm brought slippery roads, and accumulations that were projected to top out at up to 2 inches, during a period of 2 to 3 hours, WBBM-TV, CBS 2 Chicago reported.

The snow will arrive in the Tri-State Area in time for the morning rush, Quinn reported. It will travel from southwest to northeast, with the bulk of the accumulation dropping between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Quinn reported the snow will start out as a light snowfall toward dawn, and pick as the morning goes on. The snow is expected to fall at a steady clip as late as the early afternoon.

Some mixing with rain is expected south of the city and along the coast of Long Island. But for most, only snow will fall.

Conditions will taper off ahead of the afternoon rush Tuesday, but the commute will still be slippery, Quinn reported.

In total, 3 to 5 inches of snow were expected for areas north and west of the city. A total of 2 to 3 inches were expected for the five boroughs, most of Long Island, and central and southern New Jersey.

Snow totals in the city will vary by location. Areas close to the oceanfront such as the Rockaway Peninsula will likely see only about 0.3 inches, but about 2.9 inches are expected in Central Park.

An inch or less of accumulation was forecast for the South Shore of Long Island and the Jersey Shore.

The New York City Department of Transportation has issued a snow alert beginning at 4 a.m. Tuesday for the coming storm, and has been loading salt spreaders and hitching up plows and chains. The department is coordinating with the Office of Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation for the snow removal efforts.

Also, throughout the day Tuesday, NJ TRANSIT will offer systemwide cross-honoring. All NJ TRANSIT rail station waiting rooms will also remain open through Wednesday due to the anticipated snowstorm.

On Monday evening, Tri-State Area residents were preparing for the snow with varying degrees of enthusiasm, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.

One man, Dee, was seen wearing a bear hat with ears and long paws down the side. You would guess that he loves the snow, but he most assuredly does not.

"Hopefully, the season's end will come soon and be over," he said.

But for Paul, 'tis the season for snow.

"I want a white Christmas," he said. "I've been wanting one for years."

The forecast high for Tuesday is 35 degrees. As the week progresses, temperatures are expected to rise until they hit 55 degrees on Sunday. One computer model said temperatures Sunday could even reach the lower 60s, Quinn reported.

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