New York

Teeth-Chattering Cold Settles Over Region; Above-Freezing Temps Not Expected Until Monday

Hundreds of schools across the region remained closed Friday after the storm dumped more than 16 inches on parts of Long Island and New Jersey

What to Know

  • Wind chills below zero in much of the tri-state will make the cleanup process after the vicious snowstorm much more difficult
  • Meteorologists are forecasting brutally cold wind chills through the weekend with no temperatures above freezing until at least Monday
  • Alternate-side parking is suspended in New York City through Wednesday, though meter rules remain in effect

Days after a vicious winter storm assaulted the tri-state, residents are shivering amid a potentially historic deep freeze that will not only send temperatures plunging through the weekend, but hinder snow cleanup as well.

But the more-than-a-foot of snow on lthe ground for large swaths of the region is hardly the biggest threat at this point. Meteorologists are forecasting brutally cold wind-chills through the weekend and, according to Storm Team 4, the inches, or even a foot or more in some spots, isn’t going anywhere soon. Wind gusts of 40 mph or more will lead to blowing and drifting snow and will send temperatures into the teens with feel-like temps even colder.

Those commuting Friday morning faced what felt like -11 degrees and, even amid abundant sunshine, it still felt like -3 at midday because of the wind chills. The cold only gets worse. From Friday night into Saturday morning, it will feel like -10 to -20 degrees across the tri-state.

Wind chill warnings went into effect at 1 a.m. Friday for Pike, Sussex, Western Ulter and eastern Dutchess counties until Sunday morning, Storm Team 4 said. The rest of the tri-state is under a wind chill advisory.

In New York City, some areas, such as Queens, saw at least 13 inches of snow, which exceeded the initial forecast of 6 to 8 inches. Central Park got 9.8 inches of snow, while JFK Airport saw 8 inches. Check the latest snow totals in your neighborhood here.

For those seeking cover in subway stations, the whipping winds also blew snow inside and onto platforms. Frozen switches and signal problems threw the morning commute into chaos for thousands 

The Department of Sanitation warned residents that treated streets in the city may not show blacktop just yet and driving conditions may still be difficult after the storm. Alternate-side parking is suspended in the city through Wednesday, though meter rules remain in effect. 

Mayor de Blasio says the city is in need of daily temporary workers to shovel, especially in Queens. The rate of pay is $15 an hour, and people can sign up at nyc.gov

Relief from the colder, snowy conditions may not come until at least Monday when the teeth-shattering cold eases a bit and the tri-state will see temperatures rise above the freezing mark for the first time in more than a week.

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