NYC Weather: 'Just Stay Home,' Hochul Warns As Winter Storm Hits

NEW YORK CITY — Stay inside, New Yorkers — a massive winter storm is poised to dump wintry chaos on the city.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday the "confluence of an incredible storm" will hit the city and state. The state will be under a state of emergency starting at 8 p.m.

The city is under a hazardous travel advisory starting Friday at 7 p.m. and lasting 24 hours.

Long Island is likely to bear the brunt, with blizzard conditions and up to 16 inches of snow, Hochul said.

But New York City won't fare much better — at least 10 inches of snow will fall, along with 45 mph winds, Hochul said. She urged motorists to stay off the roads.

“Heavy snow, gusty winds, difficult road conditions,” she said.

“The best way to handle this, is just stay home,” she said.

Mayor Eric Adams likewise warned of "widespread travel issues" and urged New Yorkers to use public transportation if they leave their homes. He said city crews are expecting 12 inches or more of snow, which will be light and could cause blizzard conditions.

“We are going to be preparing for it,” he said.

Forecasters warned for days about the potential of a massive winter storm hitting the New York City region.

But they were unsure about the storm's track, leaving a glimmer of hope the wintry blow would be glancing or a complete miss.

That changed as the weekend approached and the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning starting Friday at 7 p.m. and running through Saturday at 7 p.m.

"Near blizzard conditions are possible for a period on Saturday," the warning states for New York City.

Christina Farrell, the city's emergency management commissioner, said snow likely will begin in earnest Friday at 8 p.m.

“Snow will continue into Saturday afternoon with the possibility of more than 1 inch of accumulation per hour," she said.

Temperatures likely will get very cold, Farrell said. Friday night temperatures will drop to the mid-teens and stay cold all day Saturday.

“Tomorrow, wind chills are expected to be below zero,” she said.

City officials also prepared for mass disruptions.

More than 700 trucks were already spreading salt on city streets Friday before the storm, sanitation Commissioner Ed Grayson said. He warned conditions Saturday could be dangerous as high winds whips light snow into the air.

“It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach to what could be a pretty significant, possibly double-digit depth event here in New York City, and we will be ready,” he said.

The city's three library systems announced they would close Saturday. Department of Sanitation officials issued a snow alert lasting until Sunday at 7 a.m., meaning potential collection delays.

Above-ground subway lines could be impacted by the storm, Janno Lieber, the MTA's chair and CEO.

"The outdoor portions of the subway lines are likely to take some hits," he said. "We are not now officially suspending service or anticipating it, but we prepared to protect the conditions on that and anticipate there could be impacts."

Lieber said buses will have chains put on their tires. Articulated buses could be impacted, he said.

LIRR and Metro-North lines likely will shut down Friday night, he said.

Adams said outdoor dining will remain open Friday night, but close all day Saturday. Open Streets will close Saturday as well, he said.

Vaccine appointments will be moved from Saturday to Sunday, Adams said.

New Yorkers should call 311 for problems with frozen pipes, fallen trees and unsheltered homeless people, Adams said. A "Cold Blue" is in effect to help people experiencing homelessness find shelter.

Adams urged New Yorkers to pitch in to help each other.

“Look after your neighbors,” he said. “That includes checking in on them or shoveling snow if need be.”