New York City Braces for Harsh Cold Snap Ahead of Bombogenesis
A powerful low-pressure system, or "bombogenesis," is barreling towards New York City, threatening to unleash a few inches of snow on the city, but mostly leaving residents to face biting cold temperatures that could feel like near-zero. Just days after at least 10 people died in a devastating storm, officials are warning of another life-threatening weather event.
The National Weather Service is predicting a low-pressure system will intensify rapidly and edge closer to the region, potentially passing just far enough offshore to spare NYC from the worst impacts. While some snowfall is possible, especially on Sunday, the chances of significant snow are decreasing as the storm approaches.
Instead, residents can expect unseasonably cold temperatures that could drop into the teens and lower 20s during the day, with early morning temperatures plummeting even further. New Yorkers should bundle up tightly to stay safe, warns Dominic Ramunni, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's New York office.
"The elements exposed can be devastating," he said. "It's crucial to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, cover skin that's exposed – fingers, neck, ears – as these are the first areas to feel the cold."
This prolonged stretch of below-freezing temperatures is a rare event for NYC, not having experienced such a prolonged cold snap in about eight years. The city has seen a lackluster winter so far, with snow and cold temperatures being scarce.
What's remarkable, however, is that Ramunni notes this current cold snap could be even more intense – seven consecutive days of high temperatures 15 to 20 degrees below normal. This would be an impressive weather event in the meteorology field.
Thursday night will see temperatures drop to lows around 11 degrees, with windchills making things worse. It won't start warming up until midway through next week, when highs are expected to crack the 30-degree mark – still far from average for this time of year.
While some thawing is possible due to warmer temperatures, Ramunni warns that February often brings brutal winter weather as well. So, residents should stay vigilant and monitor the forecast closely over the next few days.
A powerful low-pressure system, or "bombogenesis," is barreling towards New York City, threatening to unleash a few inches of snow on the city, but mostly leaving residents to face biting cold temperatures that could feel like near-zero. Just days after at least 10 people died in a devastating storm, officials are warning of another life-threatening weather event.
The National Weather Service is predicting a low-pressure system will intensify rapidly and edge closer to the region, potentially passing just far enough offshore to spare NYC from the worst impacts. While some snowfall is possible, especially on Sunday, the chances of significant snow are decreasing as the storm approaches.
Instead, residents can expect unseasonably cold temperatures that could drop into the teens and lower 20s during the day, with early morning temperatures plummeting even further. New Yorkers should bundle up tightly to stay safe, warns Dominic Ramunni, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's New York office.
"The elements exposed can be devastating," he said. "It's crucial to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, cover skin that's exposed – fingers, neck, ears – as these are the first areas to feel the cold."
This prolonged stretch of below-freezing temperatures is a rare event for NYC, not having experienced such a prolonged cold snap in about eight years. The city has seen a lackluster winter so far, with snow and cold temperatures being scarce.
What's remarkable, however, is that Ramunni notes this current cold snap could be even more intense – seven consecutive days of high temperatures 15 to 20 degrees below normal. This would be an impressive weather event in the meteorology field.
Thursday night will see temperatures drop to lows around 11 degrees, with windchills making things worse. It won't start warming up until midway through next week, when highs are expected to crack the 30-degree mark – still far from average for this time of year.
While some thawing is possible due to warmer temperatures, Ramunni warns that February often brings brutal winter weather as well. So, residents should stay vigilant and monitor the forecast closely over the next few days.