UPDATE: A significant winter storm is currently impacting New York City and surrounding areas, prompting urgent warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS). As of now, snow and sleet accumulations have been revised, with total snowfall expected to reach between two and five inches in the NYC metro area. Heavy travel disruptions are anticipated as conditions worsen.
The NWS confirmed that a shift in precipitation patterns has led to a reduction in snowfall totals for parts of New York and New Jersey. An official post on social media stated, “Due to a further northeast shift of mix precipitation, forecast snowfall totals around NYC and northeast NJ have been lowered.” However, the storm continues to pose serious travel risks, especially overnight.
Visibility is expected to be significantly reduced as snow and ice blanket the roads, creating hazardous conditions for the estimated 122.4 million Americans planning to travel during the holiday season. The storm, which began affecting the Northeast on Friday, December 26, previously dumped up to 10 inches of snow in some locations, impacting regions across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a critical statement urging residents to remain vigilant. She emphasized, “New York is no stranger to snow and cold weather, and given the Christmas holidays, it’s important to be extra prepared before getting on the road.” She encouraged New Yorkers to monitor local forecasts and utilize the emergency alerts system for updates.
As of now, the NWS has issued winter storm warnings for the Tri-State area, valid until 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025. In addition to snow, a light glaze of ice is forming, complicating travel even further. The NWS defines a winter storm warning as an indication that a “significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.”
Travelers should be aware that conditions are deteriorating, with a wintry mix of snow and sleet forecasted to blanket the region on Saturday morning. The advisory reflects the significance of the weather, indicating that while conditions may not be severe enough for a warning in every case, they will still cause substantial inconvenience.
As Americans prepare to ring in the new year, the winter storm is expected to slow down travel plans significantly. The combination of weather warnings and high travel volumes could lead to a challenging situation for many. Stay tuned for further updates as conditions evolve.
Be sure to share this information with friends and family to ensure everyone stays safe during this winter storm.
