NYC Weather: Freezing Rain Could Cover City In Ice Friday

NEW YORK CITY — Freezing rain could sheath New York City in ice as a cold front moves through the city, forecasters warn.

A hazardous weather outlook takes effect Friday when wintry mix is poised to hit the city, according to the National Weather Service.

"There is the potential for several hours of freezing rain, sleet, and snow Friday afternoon," the outlook states. "The freezing rain will lead to ice accretion on any untreated surfaces, making travel hazardous, potentially for the evening commute on Friday. Additionally, any standing water from rainfall and melting snow will freeze, especially Friday night, exacerbating these conditions."

A 100 percent chance of rain is in the forecast for Thursday and Friday.

The rainfall, which could total more than an inch, likely will wash away at least some leftover snow from a previous winter storm, according to the National Weather Service.

But a looming cold front could turn that rain into a wintry mix by Friday, meteorologists warn.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast:

Thursday
Rain. Widespread dense fog, mainly before 1pm. Steady temperature around 42. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
Rain. Temperature rising to around 49 by 2am. South wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday
Rain or freezing rain before 3pm, then freezing rain and sleet. Temperature falling to around 31 by 3pm. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. North wind 11 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Little or no sleet accumulation expected.

Friday Night
A chance of freezing rain and sleet before 10pm, then a slight chance of snow and sleet between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 29. Northwest wind 13 to 17 mph.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 20.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.