NYC Weather: Highs Reach 68 Before Heavy Snow, Wintry Mix Arrives

NEW YORK CITY — A full-on blast of warm, spring-like weather in New York City won't last long before Old Man Winter makes a bitter return.

Highs will reach 68 degrees Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. But the balmy temperatures will quickly drop back down to freezing that night and into Thursday, forecasters said.

And snow — some of which could be heavy — is expected to develop Thursday night before switching over to a wintry mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain, according to the forecast. The 100 percent chance of precipitation, much of which will be snowy or icy, prompted the National Weather to issue a hazardous weather outlook.

"Snow is expected to develop Thursday night, changing over to a wintry mix and/or rain on Friday," the outlook states. "At this time, 2 to 5 inches of snow is possible before the changeover. The Friday morning commute will likely be impacted."

The snow and wintry mix is part of a significant winter storm blowing in from the southern plain states and Ohio Valley, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy snow is expected across the Northeast and into New England, forecasters said.

Here's the complete National Weather Service forecast:

Wednesday
A 20 percent chance of showers before 2pm. Cloudy early, then gradual clearing, with a high near 68. West wind 13 to 18 mph.

Wednesday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 11 to 17 mph.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 34. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. North wind 7 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night
Snow, mainly after 2am. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 30. Wind chill values between 20 and 25. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday
Snow and sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain before 9am, then sleet, possibly mixed with freezing rain between 9am and noon, then rain after noon. The sleet could be heavy at times. High near 35. Northeast wind 7 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night
A chance of rain, mixing with snow after 7pm, then gradually ending. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 31.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.