Post-Christmas snowstorm set to bring NYC’s heaviest snowfall in nearly four years

New York City entered the post-Christmas travel rush under winter storm warnings on Friday, as forecasters warned of heavy snowfall, hazardous travel and one of the city’s most disruptive winter systems in years.

Snow began developing late Friday afternoon and was expected to intensify overnight into Saturday, bringing several inches of accumulation across the city and surrounding regions.According to the FOX Forecast Center, snowfall rates could reach an inch or more per hour at the storm’s peak overnight. City officials urged residents to prepare for dangerous conditions, particularly as millions travel through the region during one of the busiest weekends of the year.The warning came as New York City Emergency Management issued a travel advisory for Friday night into Saturday. In a statement released alongside the advisory, Mayor Eric Adams said:“As New Yorkers continue to celebrate the holidays and prepare to celebrate the new year, they should also prepare for hazardous travel conditions Friday into Saturday. New York City agencies have been coordinating and are prepared for the winter weather system, and we continue to monitor conditions closely.”

Snow totals, timing and travel risks

The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for parts of New York City, New Jersey and Long Island, with total snow accumulations forecast between 5 and 9 inches in the hardest-hit areas. Winter weather advisories extended into portions of southern Connecticut and neighbouring counties where lighter but still disruptive snowfall was expected.Snow was forecast to begin Friday evening, intensify overnight, and taper off Saturday morning, though lingering flurries could persist.

The warning remains in effect from 4 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday, with the Friday evening commute expected to be especially difficult as snowfall rates increase.

Forecasters also warned that early Saturday morning could bring a brief mix of sleet or freezing rain, particularly between Philadelphia and New York City, as warmer air moves north and collides with colder air from Canada. Cold temperatures through Friday night and Saturday are expected to limit snowmelt, increasing the risk of slippery and hazardous roads.

Airports, roads and emergency preparations

The storm arrives during peak holiday travel, with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey expecting nearly 15 million travellers to pass through major airports, bridges and tunnels during the festive period. Winter weather alerts are in place at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy, Newark and Philadelphia International Airports, raising the likelihood of delays and cancellations.Several major highways across the Northeast are expected to be affected, including I-95, I-94, I-90, I-80 and I-91, with officials advising drivers to slow down, allow extra travel time and check transport updates before setting out.New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) has issued a travel advisory from Friday evening into Saturday and activated the city’s Winter Weather Emergency Plan. The Department of Sanitation is pre-deploying hundreds of salt spreaders to pretreat roads, with ploughs ready to deploy as conditions worsen. City agencies are coordinating closely with the National Weather Service, state authorities and utility partners.According to the FOX Forecast Center, it has been more than 1,400 days since New York City recorded over six inches of snow in a 24-hour period, making this system one of the most significant winter events the city has faced in recent years.Officials continue to urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel where possible and to check road and flight conditions frequently as the storm moves through the region.