Snow Storm Headed for Tri-State

AP

New York – Residents and emergency management officials in New England and parts of New York prepared on Wednesday for a winter storm predicted to help usher in 2014 with snow and frigid temperatures across much of the region.

Snow was expected to begin falling overnight in some areas, promising a messy commute for the first business day of the new year, but the full storm wasn’t expected to hit until later Thursday. As much as a foot of snow or more was forecast for some areas overnight Thursday into Friday, and temperatures were expected to plummet, with some areas seeing highs just above zero, the National Weather Service said.

“There will be travel problems,” said Hugh Johnson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Albany, N.Y. “It will be very cold. You don’t want to be out in the stuff long unless you have the proper clothing.”

Sections of interior southern New England and New York could get up to a foot of snow, with forecasts generally calling for 6 to 12 inches. New York City is likely to see 3 to 7 inches and issued a snow alert on Wednesday. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged the city’s commuters to leave their cars at home in case major highways are closed for Thursday’s evening rush hour.

Near blizzard conditions were forecast for areas along the coast. The mayor of Bridgeport declared a state of emergency for Thursday, imposing special parking regulations so crews can plow.

In Rhode Island, Gov. Lincoln Chafee’s office, the state police, the Department of Transportation and other state agencies held a conference call on New Year’s Eve to prepare for the storm.

Officials said crews would be prepared to plow, sand and salt the roads or respond to any problems that may arise.

“We’re still trying to determine how much snow’s going to come and when it’s going to come,” state police Capt. Kevin Barry said, adding that authorities have been working with other groups to make sure they have the proper resources for the storm.