Uh-oh: Snow in the Forecast for Friday

Anywhere from 3-9 inches expected in tri-state area

Too soon for another storm? Too bad.

Snow is back in the forecast, less than two weeks after a massive blizzard dumped more than 20 inches of the white stuff on parts of the city, paralyzing residents and sparking a federal probe into the sanitation department's response. 

The snow is expected to start early Friday and taper off Saturday morning, generating roughly 3-6 inches in New Jersey, Long Island and New York City, and anywhere from 6-9 inches in areas to the north and east of the city, including the lower Hudson Valley and parts of Connecticut, says NBCNewYork meteorologist Janice Huff.

Friday morning's commute isn't expected to be affected by the approaching storm, but by the evening, drivers and straphangers could be in for some messy roads and rails.

A winter storm watch is in effect for all of the five boroughs, Long Island, northeastern New Jersey and southern Connecticut from Friday morning until late Friday night.

The precipitation predicted for the coming days likely won't manifest nearly to the degree of the behemoth blizzard we endured in late December, much to the relief of those still washing the crusted snow off their vehicles and boots. But as with all weather, the impact depends on the track of the storm, which could hit the New York City area harder if it intensifies while farther south.

"The storm's main kick may result from low pressure reforming and intensifying offshore Friday into the weekend.  Sound familiar?  Typically, the path of the intensifying low is important," writes Jonathan Erdman of Weather.com. "That all said, in this case, there may be another heavy snowmaker, even if the developing low remains too far offshore."

As of now, meteorologists say any significant storm will likely affect southern New England into the Catskills and Poconos, which, of course, could include parts of the tri-state area. This is due to potential "Norlun instability trough" bands, which occur when air rises near troughs of low pressure, developing offshore.    

The "extremely intense and narrow band" won't develop until Friday, however, which prevents meteorologists from being able to track it in advance, according to AccuWeather.com. 

The flurries are expected to taper off Saturday as a cold wind comes in, with temperatures dropping into the 20s and possibly even the single digits.

As always, check back with NBCNewYork.com for up-to-the-minute information on weather, school closings and upcoming forecasts.

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