AccuWeather Forecast: Extreme Cold, Heavy Snow, and Icy Mix Expected in NYC Area

Arctic Front and Dangerous Cold

• 🥶 An Arctic front is moving through, bringing dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills from the Midwest.
• ⚠️ Wind chills in the Midwest have dropped from -25°F to -50°F, and this cold air mass is starting to move towards the New York area.
• 📉 Temperatures in the 30s are expected to drop into the sub-zero range by Saturday morning, with a deep freeze anticipated to last for at least 10 days.

Storm Evolution and Snowfall

• 🌨️ The storm is expected to bring heavy snow, with potential for whiteout conditions and significant accumulation.
• 📈 Snowfall rates could reach 1-2 inches per hour during peak times on Sunday, leading to impressive early snow totals.
• ❄️ Snowfall ratios are predicted to be high (15:1 to 20:1) due to the super arctic air, allowing snow to pile up efficiently.

Mixing and Potential Ice

• 🧊 By Sunday afternoon and evening, mixing with sleet or freezing rain is possible, especially south and east of the city, including the Jersey Shore.
• ⚠️ The timing of this mixing is a critical factor in determining final snow totals, with later mixing leading to higher accumulations.
• ⚠️ Areas in Middlesex and Western Monmouth could experience freezing rain, potentially leading to ice accretion and damage.

Snowfall Totals and Cleanup

• 📊 Estimated snowfall totals range from 8-12 inches in central New Jersey, New York City, and northern Long Island, with 12-18 inches or more expected to the north and west.
• 📉 Totals closer to 8 inches are anticipated where mixing is more prevalent, while areas with less mixing could see a foot or more.
• 🧹 Following the snow and ice, an extreme cold cleanup is expected to persist into the following week.

Weather Alerts

• 🚨 AccuWeather has issued alerts for the extreme cold on Saturday, heavy snow and icy mix on Sunday, and the subsequent bitter cold cleanup.