Travel Advisory Issued For NYC Over Incoming Storm
The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Thursday afternoon through Friday, December 23. New York City is also urging New Yorkers in coastal communities to prepare ahead of the winter storm.
A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for southern Queens for the Friday morning high tide. In combination with a new moon, the storm will produce widespread moderate to locally major coastal flooding with up to 3 feet of above-ground inundation in Jamaica Bay starting around 5:00 AM with peak surge expected between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Water levels will then recede through about 10:00 AM. The neighborhoods at highest risk are Hamilton and Howard Beaches, Broad Channel, and the Rockaways.
Coastal Flood Watches are in effect for Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM Friday, and for the Bronx and northern Queens from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Friday. In these areas, widespread minor to locally moderate coastal flooding with up to 2 feet of above-ground inundation will be possible. Heavy rainfall coinciding with any of the high tides will exacerbate flooding conditions. In addition, 10- to 15-foot breaking waves at Atlantic-facing shorelines may result in significant dune erosion, overwash, and splashover, resulting in the potential for road closures. Residents in coastal communities should be alert for rising water and take appropriate action to protect life and property.
A citywide Wind Advisory is also in effect from 10:00 PM Thursday to 10:00 PM Friday. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected to develop Thursday night with gusts up to 55 mph overnight into Friday. Peak gusts may reach as high as 60 mph mid-day Friday as a strong cold front pushes through the area. Winds will begin to diminish Friday evening and overnight into Saturday, but will remain breezy with gusts up to 30 mph through the weekend.
Rain will move into the area around noon Thursday with periods of heavy rainfall likely Thursday evening into the overnight. There may be a brief lull Friday morning before intensity increases again as the cold front approaches. A period of thunderstorms with lightning is also possible late Friday morning. Rain will end quickly with passage of the cold front in the early afternoon. In total, 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain is expected with max rates around 0.5 inch per hour. Flash flooding is not anticipated, but widespread urban poor drainage and nuisance flooding is likely. Snow showers may then develop in the wake of the front Friday afternoon. Little to no accumulation is expected, however flash freezes will be possible on roadways.
As for the temperatures, a rapid drop of 10 to 15 degrees is expected over only a 1- to 2-hour period when the cold front moves through. Temperatures will continue to plummet overnight with a nearly 40-degree swing expected from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning with wind chills nearing zero. Black ice may form in areas with standing water as temperatures decrease.
“New York City is expecting several hazards with the incoming storm including high winds, heavy rain, cold temperatures, and coastal flooding. Prepare ahead of the holiday weekend,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Heavy rain in addition to a high tide will also bring moderate to major coastal flooding. We urge coastal residents to take steps to protect their property ahead of Friday morning’s high tide.”
MTA Bridges & Tunnels will be implementing a soft-ban on empty tractor-trailers and tandem (piggyback, dual, triple, etc.) trucks from 2000 hrs. on Thursday, 12/22 – 2000 hrs. on Friday, 12/23. The pedestrian walkways at the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway Bridges will also be closed during this time. The pedestrian walkways at the Robert F. Kennedy and Henry Hudson bridges will remain open weather permitting.
