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If you’ve been waiting for the first snow in Central Park, well, keep waiting.
A coastal storm has hit the city today and the five boroughs are in for a soaking, but for better or worse (depending on who you are), the snow is headed for higher ground north and west of the city. Today, the most pressing question is whether your umbrella can make it through the evening commute.
Today has started out relatively mild, with temperatures reaching the upper 50s before rain becomes more widespread in the afternoon. The National Weather Service says some downpours could be heavy enough to cause brief, localized flooding into the evening. ABC7 is also tracking possible thunderstorms and expects roughly half an inch to an inch and a half of rain in many locations, with isolated totals topping 2 inches where the heaviest bands linger. (Give yourself extra time if you’re heading home during rush hour, especially if you’re driving.)
The storm will linger offshore tomorrow, keeping showers and gusty winds in the picture. It should feel like the low to mid-30s, so the coat you talked yourself out of wearing on Thursday morning may finally make its debut. Forecasters also say minor coastal flooding is possible in some spots around daytime high tides Thursday and Friday before the rain finally tapers off by Friday evening.
If you’re headed upstate, elevation will make all the difference: in western Ulster County, a winter weather advisory runs from 7pm Thursday to 1pm Friday and spots at or above 1,500 feet could see between 2–4 inches of wet snow. A few flakes could mix in at lower elevations north of the city, but the higher Catskills are where you’re likeliest to see snow stick.
The weekend looks drier, if decidedly less inviting than Thursday’s thermometer might suggest. Saturday is forecast to stay blustery, with a high near 47 degrees and Sunday should be brighter but still cool and windy. If you’re planning a long walk, Sunday’s the better bet—but still bring that good coat.