Wintry Mix Expected To Complicate Monday Commutes

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Stop us if you've heard this one before: Tri-State area residents are facing a messy Monday commute as a winter storm moves in to the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from midnight Sunday through 6 a.m. Tuesday for New York City, Nassau County, Westchester County, Rockland County, northeastern New Jersey and coastal Connecticut.

A winter storm watch is in effect through 6 a.m. Tuesday for the lower Hudson Valley.

MORE: Check The Forecast

The city's Department of Sanitation issued a snow alert that began at noon, meaning crews, salt spreaders and plows were being readied Sunday for any snow that may fall in the city. Alternate-side parking rules have been suspended for Monday to help facilitate snow removal.

CBS2 Meteorologist Lonnie Quinn said the city would mostly see sleet and freezing rain, and the evening commute will likely be worse than the morning.

Quinn said New York City and its immediate surroundings will see a wintry mix overnight through about 6 a.m.

Then the snow/rain line is expected to move a bit south, creating dangerous conditions for the morning commute. From 6 a.m. through 2 p.m. area residents will most likely see a mix of sleet, ice and freezing rain.

Quinn said New York City could see periodic snow from about 2 p.m. through 9 p.m. Monday.

Areas south of the city are expected to see an inch or less of snow, CBS2 Meteorologist Vanessa Murdock. In and around New York City, there is expected to be 1 to 3 inches of snow. Northern suburbs will likely see 3 to 6 inches. And even further north, areas such as Sullivan, Ulster and Dutchess counties could be hit with 6 to 12 inches of snow.

"This is when I expect the biggest impact from this storm," Murdock said Sunday morning. "We're seeing a wintery mix for many making their way home, and it is predominantly steady, sometimes heavy, snow due north, due west of the city and even in the city itself."

As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, it was just last Sunday that Westchester County saw some of the most accumulation from the last storm, giving people lots to shovel and plenty of frozen slush to pick their way through.

New Jersey drivers were faced with still falling snow by the morning rush, dropping a layer of accumulation over already treacherous streets.

Those same dangerous driving conditions could hit the Tri-State Area Monday morning.

AAA's tips for winter driving in icy conditions include:

-- Don't use cruise control on any slippery surface.

-- Increase your following distance from other vehicles.

-- If you do start to slide, look and steer in the direction you want to go.