URGENT UPDATE: New York is under a freeze warning as an Arctic air blast blankets the region, bringing the season’s first significant snowfall. As of November 7, 2023, icy conditions and temperatures plunging between 29 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit have prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue warnings across southern Connecticut, northeast New Jersey, and southeastern New York, including Northern and Southern Queens Counties.
This morning, millions across the Northeast woke up to frigid conditions and the distinct threat of frost. The freeze warning will remain in effect until 9 AM today. “Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation,” the NWS cautions, urging residents to protect their tender plants immediately.
A powerful surge of cold air from the Arctic, combined with relentless winds sweeping across the Great Lakes, is responsible for this dramatic weather shift. AccuWeather meteorologists predict that a notable snow event will impact areas from Illinois to New York State. The westerly winds are set to unleash significant snow, particularly in the lake-effect snow belts south and east of the lakeshores.
“The storm pattern will introduce some of the coldest air seen for early November,” stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill. Heavy snowfall rates are anticipated, with some areas expected to see several inches in a short timeframe. Travel disruptions are likely, making it crucial for drivers to ensure they have winter tires on their vehicles.
In New York City, residents can expect the first snow showers starting from late Monday night into Tuesday. AccuWeather warns that these showers could create treacherous driving conditions, with visibility plummeting near zero in the heaviest bands of snow. “The lake-effect snow bands can dump several inches of snow rapidly due to the stark temperature difference between the Arctic air and the warmer waters of the Great Lakes,” added Merrill.
As the day progresses, daytime highs will only reach the upper 30s to lower 40s, while wind chills will remain in the 30s. A few rain or snow showers are forecasted to persist through late morning into the afternoon, according to the NWS.
By Tuesday night, conditions are expected to improve as the jet stream retreats northward, allowing a pocket of milder air to move in from the Plains. However, forecasters caution that this early blast of winter signifies a trend that could lead to more cold outbreaks and snowstorms throughout November, even though winter does not officially begin until December 21.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing weather situation unfolds. Residents are urged to take precautions against the cold and prepare for potentially hazardous travel conditions.
