New Jersey

Brutal Cold, Dangerous Black Ice Threaten Tri-State After Monster Snowstorm

The powerful storm that dumped more than a foot of snow on parts of the tri-state had moved out by Friday morning, leaving behind frigid temperatures, brutal winds and heaps of wet snow — perfect conditions for perilous black ice.

Frigid temperatures descended on the tri-state after Thursday’s monster snowstorm. Commuters in New Jersey were treading lightly Friday morning as the cold temperatures froze leftover snow. Tracie Strahan reports. 

Clumps of wet, icy snow remained on many area streets and sidewalks, and officials warned that black ice and slick spots posed a significant threat on untreated surfaces as commuters hit the roads and rails Friday.

Temperatures were well below freezing Friday morning and were expected to stay bitterly cold throughout the day as blustery winds continued. 

Patches of black ice formed in the five boroughs and along the Jersey Shore, but were expected to be more widespread to the northwest of the city, as well as on Long Island and in Connecticut. 

Long Island got the brunt of Thursday’s snowstorm. Crews were working to dig out Friday morning as many schools canceled classes. Rana Novini reports.

A black ice alert was in effect for all of New Jersey Friday and schools were to be delayed 90 minutes to give buses time to get to pick up students safely. 

Thursday’s storm was blamed for at least one death in New York City. It also caused hundreds of car accidents, crippled travel by ground and air, closed schools and offices, and cut power to thousands of people across the tri-state.

Long Island, where a state of emergency was declared in Suffolk County and whiteout conditions were widespread, saw more than a foot of snow in many spots. Selden got 16 inches, while 15.5 inches fell on Bohemia and 14 inches on Hicksville.

Road crews worked around the clock to clear the streets in New York City after a snowstorm dropped more than a foot of snow in some areas. Many vehicles and sidewalks were still covered in the white stuff Friday morning as residents prepared for work. Katherine Creag reports.

There was also significant snowfall in the Hudson Valley, with 12 inches of snow recorded in Poughkeepsie and Kingston. Snow piled up in New York City too, with Fresh Meadows, Queens, getting 13.2 inches and the northwest Bronx, 12.5 inches. In New Jersey, Highland Lakes saw 11.1 inches.

It's forecast to warm a little this weekend, with highs in the 40s under mostly cloudy skies. Sprinkles are possible Saturday and rain is likely Sunday.

Snowstorm Paints Tri-State a Wintry White

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