Wet, Miserable Monday Set To Give Way To Bitter Cold
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A mere three days after temperatures topped out near 80 degrees in much of the area, an early spring cold front on Monday brought a wintry blast to some in the Tri-State and bone-chilling miserable rain to others.
And when Tuesday morning comes around, the entire area will see weather fit for January.
As CBS2's Elise Finch reported, the weather roller coaster has brought wind damage and thunderstorms to some – and it was far from over late Monday afternoon.
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"It's crazy, like the rest of the world," one area resident said.
"It's unpredictable," another said. "You can't know what's going on."
In Queens Village, an intense thunderstorm toppled a huge tree in front of Norma Williams' home. The tree took down power lines and landed on her silver car, crushing it and two others.
Williams said she feels like the treacherous spring weather is payback for what we didn't get this winter.
"I guess it's got to come some time, so here it is," Williams said. "Hopefully after this is all done, we'll have a beautiful spring and a not-too-crazy summer."
The unpredictable trend will continue as the week goes on. Daytime highs will top out at a mere 42 degrees on Tuesday.
"It's been really weird," said Samantha Jamorski of Bellerose, Long Island. "You get like these teasers of nice weather, and then it's gone."
On Sunday, devastating high winds brought damage, and dragged wind chills down into the 20s and below.
In New York City, about 108 trees came down in Brooklyn, 100 in Queens, 72 on Staten Island and 40 in the Bronx. Manhattan also had a handful of fallen trees.
In Queens, at least four cars were damaged by a fallen tree on 210th Street. In Howard Beach, an entire home was blown off its pilings.
Severe thunderstorms complete with hail have also struck, along with two systems that brought measurable snow to parts of the area.
On Monday, gloomy, cold rain dominated the area – but when Tuesday comes around, some might be looking back on rain and the 40s fondly.
Winter weather advisories were in effect for parts of New Jersey and Connecticut until 6 p.m. Monday.
A freeze warning is also in effect from 8 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday for New York City, parts of Long Island and Westchester County as well as parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.
CBS2's Lonnie Quinn reported that during the day, the temperature in Monticello was only 28 degrees, but the high was in the lower 60s in Toms River.
But overnight, the lows will drop below freezing for everyone – 27 in New York City; Merrick, Long Island; and Bridgeport, Connecticut; 29 in the Oranges in New Jersey, and a cold-even-for-January 15 in Liberty.
The wind chill will make it feel liike 10 to 20 degrees in most to the area, and as low as 5 below to the north and west.
People who spoke to CBS2 said all they could do was to stay prepared, by keeping both their rain gear and cold weather clothing close by.
"Nothing's put away yet -- nothing's put away yet, no," said Delores Smith. "You have to anticipate we're still going to have cold days."
"I think it's crazy, but at least it's better than having all that snow," said Dennis Major of Elmont.
Others are dreaming of, and waiting for, the perfect spring day.
"Sunny and about 70 degrees is perfect," said Susan Divita.
The National Weather Service warns that the colder spring temperatures, as will be seen again Monday night and Tuesday morning, could kill or damage some sensitive plants.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
