NYC Blizzard Conditions: Snowfall Totals, Forecast, and Thunder Snow Explained

Snowfall Totals and Current Conditions

• ❄️ Staten Island reported the highest snowfall at 23 inches, with other areas like Princess Bay reaching 23 inches and Toms River at 17 inches.
• 📍 Visibility varied significantly, with Blairstown at six miles but improving to three in Madison, and further east in areas like Bayonne and Massapequa seeing only 0.4 miles.
• 🌨️ Moderate to heavier snow bands continue to fall, with Staten Island accumulating over 24 inches and Central Park recording 15.1 inches, expected to increase.
• 🌊 The storm's expansive comma structure on satellite imagery indicates a powerful nor'easter that will take time to weaken.

Blizzard Warning and Forecast

• ⚠️ A blizzard warning is in effect, requiring visibility of a quarter mile or less and winds of 35 mph or higher for at least three hours.
• 💨 Winds are currently out of the north to northwest at 35 to 45 mph, contributing to blizzard conditions.
• 📉 By the early evening, snow showers are expected to become less widespread but will continue to stick around.
• 🥶 Tonight will be cold with temperatures dropping to 23 degrees, feeling like zero to 15 degrees due to gusty winds of 25 to 35 mph.
• ☀️ Tomorrow will be drier with peaks of sunshine, a high of 32 degrees, and lingering winds from the northwest at 20 to 30 mph.

Understanding Thunder Snow

• ⚡ Thunder snow occurs when the atmospheric conditions for a thunderstorm, like convection and turbulence, are present but the moisture column is cold enough for snow instead of rain.
• ⛈️ This process can produce lightning and thunder, similar to a regular thunderstorm, but with snowfall.
• 🧐 While lightning strikes were observed further offshore, it's uncertain if thunder snow events occurred directly on the coast.

Viewer Engagement

• 📸 Viewers are encouraged to send in their snow photos and pictures by scanning a QR code for a chance to be featured on air.