Nor’easter to Blanket New York and Boston in Snow on Tuesday, Reports Reuters

By Julia Harte and Rich McKay

NEW YORK – A rapidly approaching winter storm is set to impact the U.S. Northeast early on Tuesday, potentially bringing up to 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) of snow to New York City before shifting northward and delivering over a foot of snow to Boston, according to weather forecasts.

In New York, temperatures are not anticipated to drop significantly below freezing, which raises the possibility of heavy, wet snow that can be challenging to shovel and plow. Bob Oravec, a forecaster with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, cautioned that these conditions could lead to messy commutes and pose a risk of downed power lines and tree branches, resulting in power outages.

To prepare for the storm, New York City public schools will transition to remote classes on Tuesday, impacting over 900,000 students in the largest school district in the country, as announced by Mayor Eric Adams. The city has also issued a travel advisory, urging residents to avoid roadways on Tuesday to facilitate snow plowing efforts.

During a briefing on Monday, Mayor Adams noted that the city had been fortunate to avoid significant snowfall for nearly two years, but acknowledged that "Mother Nature does what she wants." He emphasized that the city is taking the impending storm very seriously.

In New England, forecasts of heavy snowfall prompted Boston’s mayor to declare a state of emergency, canceling classes in city schools and causing residents to take precautionary measures ahead of the storm.

"We’re almost out of snow shovels," reported Ethan Straub, a manager at a Boston hardware store. His inventory had dwindled from 100 shovels to only a dozen by Monday morning, with demand skyrocketing since the storm’s prediction.

About 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) south of Boston, Tony Cruz is preparing to work continuously on Tuesday and Wednesday to shovel snow from driveways, steps, and sidewalks using just a shovel and a snow blower. "I work alone. Just me. I’m ‘Tony the Handyman,’ and if we get a lot of snow, I’ll work until it’s done," he said, adding that he stays warm with an insulated jacket and plenty of coffee.

A winter storm watch is in effect for Long Island, New York City, and parts of northeastern New Jersey. Precipitation is expected to start as rain late on Monday, transitioning to snow as temperatures fall overnight. The total snowfall could vary based on when this change occurs, Oravec indicated.

New York City’s prolonged "snow drought" of nearly two years concluded in mid-January when an Arctic front dropped around 1.4 inches in Central Park. Tuesday’s snowfall is projected to surpass that amount, potentially creating brief opportunities for sledding and snowball fights.

A fleet of over 2,000 snow plows and 700 salt spreaders is on standby in New York City, ready to respond. Additionally, strong winds reaching up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour) and coastal flooding are expected along the New England coast, as well as the Jersey Shore and Long Island.