The city was bracing for another six-plus inches of snow — plus just about everything else — Thursday, as the flakes fall at more than twice the pace of a typical New York winter.
How much accumulates depends on how soon the nor’easter’s snow switches to sleet and rain, forecasters said.
“It’s snowing at 7 [a.m] and probably rain by 1 [p.m.],” said AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines. But, he added, “A couple of hours difference could be a big deal.”
If the precipitation remains all snow and warm air doesn’t drive temperatures above freezing at around noon, 10 to 12 inches are possible — “but [that’s] not likely,” Kines said.
Areas north and west of the city can expect eight to 10 inches, and officials upstate are preparing for worse.
The “Adirondack Winter Challenge” — billed as a “celebration of winter tourism in New York’s beautiful Adirondacks region” — was postponed yesterday because the storm would provide too much winter.
The storm roared through the South Wednesday and was billed by the National Weather Service as “catastrophic . . . crippling . . . paralyzing . . . choose your adjective.”
The service said the storm could have a significant impact on 22 states from Texas to Maine. By late afternoon, nearly half a million homes were without power in Alabama, Louisiana and the Carolinas.
New York City has already seen 41¹/₂ inches of snow this season.
The “normal up to this time is 15¹/₂,” Kines said. “We’re doing pretty good.”
Last year’s readings in Central Park totaled just over 26 inches, and 2011-2012 was a paltry 7.4 inches. Only twice in the past nine years has the accumulation in the city topped the amount that’s already fallen in the winter of 2014.
But we have quite a ways to go to reach the 61.9 inches of 2010-2011, let along the 63.2 inches of 1947-1948.
The high temperature on Friday may reach 40 and provide some melting. Additional storm systems could move through the city Saturday night into early Sunday, but are not expected to bring more than a dusting of an inch or so of snow.