More than a foot of snow fell in Central Park on Monday, in a snowstorm that entered New York City’s top 20 and one of the largest in northern New Jersey.
The relentless storm accumulated at 7 centimeters of snow per hour at times, while gusts of wind caused snow that limited visibility and winds that buried cars parked in their windows.
RELATED: Total Snowfalls around New York and the Three States Area
The same areas that were hit hard on Monday will have even more snow – including areas in Northern Jersey, Westchester and Rockland County.
Meteorologist Lee Goldberg said he expected moderate light waves on Tuesday. It will start as a morning mix and then be greeted by the cooler air that turns to snow from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.
The blast and drift will continue as long as the winds remain gusty in the 30-35 mph range. The event can last for 48 hours, making it a rare snowstorm of the kind we see every five to 10 years, said ABC7 meteorologist Jeff Smith.
Before this is over, parts of New York City can see 18 inches of snow, with even greater amounts to the north and west, as the heaviest snow moves in that direction.
RELATED: School Closures in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
The winter storm alert continues on Tuesday as the storm slowly subsides. It will still be stormy and cold. Additional significant build-up is not likely during Tuesday’s day, but don’t be surprised to see a few more inches before the storm finally passes.
The snow itself will likely remain fluffy throughout the event, as it is very cold, but it can become more humid and heavy in the mixed coastal airs.
Coastal areas will also have to deal with the risk of flooding from the power plant’s storm, with flood warnings in effect on Long Island until 3 am Tuesday morning. These areas face the risk of moderate coastal flooding, but some areas can experience major flooding.
There were also concerns that high tide could cause large-scale moderate to isolated floods in vulnerable areas, areas like Freeport and Lindenhurst on Long Island and the South Shore bays. The slow nature of the storm will span multiple high tide cycles, raising concerns.
RELATED: Live Updates on Winter Storms Across the Tri-State
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