AccuWeather Alert: Dangerous Cold, Snow Showers, and High Winds This Weekend

Weekend Cold Snap and Snowfall

• 🥶 Dangerous cold is expected this weekend, marking the coldest air of the season.
• ❄️ Light snowfall will begin Friday night, potentially causing slippery travel into Saturday morning.
• ⚠️ Extreme cold warnings are in effect for the entire tri-state area, with wind chills reaching 10 to 30 degrees below zero.

Wind Chill and Safety Precautions

• 🌬️ Fierce winds gusting over 45-50 mph will accompany the extreme cold, with a high wind warning for parts of Ocean County.
• 🧤 Limit skin exposure, wear hats and gloves, and consider a mask to protect against frostbite, which can set in within 15-30 minutes.
• 🐶 Keep pets indoors and only allow short outdoor excursions.
• 🏠 Check on neighbors and be aware of frostbite symptoms like pale skin, numbness, or stinging.

Home Preparedness for Cold Weather

• 🛠️ Ensure your furnace is in working order and keep fuel tanks full.
• 🚗 Prevent condensation freezing in car gas tanks by maintaining at least a quarter tank of gas.
• 💧 Clear vents and roofs, and drip faucets connected to vulnerable pipes.
• 🔗 Disconnect and drain any outdoor hoses.
• ⚙️ Check tire pressure, especially for vehicles kept outside.

Snowfall Accumulation and Forecast Details

• 🌨️ Snow showers are expected Friday night into Saturday morning, with heavier bursts possible.
• 📈 Snowfall totals are estimated at about a coating to an inch in New York City and New Jersey, with 1-3 inches possible in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Poconos.
• 🌊 Eastern Long Island and parts of Connecticut could see 3 inches or more, with localized higher amounts.
• 💨 Wind gusts are expected to reach 30 mph Saturday morning, increasing to over 40-50 mph in the afternoon, and remaining blustery through Sunday.

Extended Forecast and Temperature Outlook

• 🌡️ Temperatures will remain brutally cold through Sunday, with wind chills potentially reaching 30 below zero in the Catskills and Poconos.
• 📈 A gradual warming trend is expected, with temperatures near freezing by Tuesday and into the mid-30s later next week.
• 🌦️ Minor weather systems may bring a chance of light wintry mix or rain next week.
• ☀️ A significant warm-up, with temperatures in the 40s and 50s, is not anticipated until approximately the 17th or 18th of the month.