Rain falls across NYC, as snow causes slippery roads in northern suburbs. Here's a look at how much.
A coastal storm blew into the New York City area Tuesday, bringing heavy rain for most of the region and snow for the northern and western suburbs.
It was a First Alert Weather Day, as the first winter storm of the season arrived. Though not the strongest storm to affect the area, it still caused travel delays and dangerous driving conditions.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued a state of emergency for Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties, urging drivers in the area to "exercise caution, remain alert, and follow all safety protocols."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned New Yorkers on social media to drive carefully and use mass transit if possible.
A winter storm warning is in effect for Sullivan and western Ulster counties through Tuesday evening. Snowfall totals are expected to reach 4-8 inches.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Somerset, Morris, Sussex, northern Passaic, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, eastern Ulster and Dutchess counties through the evening. Snowfall totals are expected to reach 1-4 inches.
"Really, all we're worried about is the driving conditions, especially as you go from different parts of the county -- you go up a mountain and down a mountain into a valley, you go from rain to snow to sleet to ice. It can get scary," Orange County Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management Alan Mack said Tuesday morning.
Reports of slippery roads around Tri-State Area
By midmorning, snow began to stick on I-684 along the rain-snow line in Westchester County, and slick spots caused some accidents, like a multi-vehicle crash just south of Somers. Various message signs warned drivers to reduce speed and watch for poor driving conditions.
New York State Police expected to have a busy day, as did tow truck operators, like Kenny DeFalco, of RJB Towing. He was stationed at the Brewster rest stop, ready to roll as the accident reports came in.
"Hopefully this is just gonna turn to rain and it won't be too bad and no accidents, that's what we're hoping for," DeFalco said.
Yorktown Police shared a message on social media, saying, "What began as a three-hour delay became the first full school snow day on both sides of town today!" Schools were also closed for the day in Brewster, Carmel, Mahopac and elsewhere in Putnam County, New York.
"The secondary and tertiary (love that word) roads are officially slick," the Yorktown Police Department posted. "If you don't have good tires on your ride, stay home. If you have good tires on your ride and don't need to drive, stay home."
Officials in Orange County, New York posted on social media asking drivers to give plows room to do their work.
Police in Hopatcong also posted photos showing slushy roads in Sussex County, New Jersey. However, parades of plows made travel across state lines less slick than expected during the afternoon.
Snowfall totals from today's storm
Snowfall totals show around 4 inches in Port Jervis in Orange County, New York, and at least 2.5 inches in New Fairfield, Connecticut. Earlier, at least 3 inches were recorded in places like Woodbourne and Callicoon in Sullivan County, New York, and at least 2 inches in Wantage in Sussex County, New Jersey.
Nearby Sparta reported at least 2 inches, as did Green Pond in Morris County, New Jersey.
Areas in Putnam and Westchester counties scored between 1-2 inches.
The storm started moving out of the area during the evening rush. A cold pattern will settle in place through next weekend, right on par with the arrival of December.