NYC Under State Of Emergency As Nor'easter Hits

NEW YORK CITY — New York City is under a state of emergency in the midst of a nor'easter that is bringing blizzard-like conditions with up to 18 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 45 mph.

Siren tones on New Yorkers' phones simultaneously rang out Monday at 8 a.m. with the emergency alert issued by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"All vehicles restricted on NYC roads until 6AM on 2/2 except for essential and emergency travel," it states. "Near-blizzard conditions expected."

New Yorkers, as they read the alert, likely heard pulsing gusts of wind outside — only one of several severe weather conditions predicted by a National Weather Service winter storm warning also in effect until Tuesday at 6 a.m.

The warning predicts heavy snow of 14 to 18 inches, along a light glaze of ice. Wind gusts will be as high as 45 mph, it states.

Travel will be "difficult to impossible," it states.

"Blizzard like conditions possible this morning into this evening," it states.

The storm is part of a major nor'easter affecting the East Coast from Pennsylvania into New England, according to the National Weather Service. Philadelphia and Boston also expect severe winter storms.

De Blasio called it a "major, major blizzard" not seen in New York City since at least 2015.

"This is the kind of thing we see very rarely, this kind of storm," de Blasio said Sunday on NY1.

De Blasio encouraged employers to give their workers leeway and warned that police will be enforcing the vehicle restrictions.

Appointments for the coronavirus vaccine have all been postponed Monday because of the storm, de Blasio said.

Here's the National Weather Service forecast for Monday and Tuesday:

Monday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 30. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Windy, with a northeast wind 25 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Total daytime snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches is possible.

Monday night
Snow and freezing drizzle. Low around 30. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Windy, with a north wind 23 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible.

Tuesday
Light snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Wind chill values between 15 and 20. Blustery, with a north wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible.

Tuesday night
A chance of light snow before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 1 a.m. Cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 34 by 10 p.m. Wind chill values between 15 and 25. Northwest wind 15 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.