Snow falls in NYC right on time for winter, could slow holiday travel

Snow has begun to fall in New York City, offering a frosty prelude to the official start of winter that could slow commuters heading home for the holidays this weekend.

City-dwellers saw some of their first flurries this year late Friday morning, and then a burst of more significant snowfall, which has since turned to mostly rain. While the wintry mix is expected to persist through the night, it won’t be cold enough for any major accumulation, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures in the city hovered around the upper-30s on Friday, with a major drop in the forecast predicted for the weekend. In the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, when temps are expected to dip below freezing, there’s the potential for additional snowfall, though it’s forecast to taper off before noon.

By nightfall though, temperatures are expected to hit the teens, and they won’t rebound much on Sunday, with forecasters predicting a high of around 27 degrees and a low of 16. As a result, city officials have issued a cold weather alert while the Department of Homeless Services announced a Code Blue for the weekend.

“Outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect our most vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters,” New York City Emergency Management said in a statement. “No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.”

Commuters heading home for the holidays should also use caution. While the precipitation will yield little snow accumulation, it can muck up travel conditions through the weekend.