A brief punch of wild weather is pummeling the tri-state area Tuesday night into Wednesday morning after the mammoth winter storm system that walloped the southern plains churns toward the East Coast.
Light rain was moved in after the evening commute, and the worst of the storm will hit overnight. Meteorologists say heavy rain, wind, coastal thunderstorms and wintry mixes of snow and ice in the far north and west parts of the region are likely.
Snow began falling in areas north and west of I-84 Tuesday night. Snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain at times; 1 to 3 inches of slushy precipitation is expected to fall. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Sussex, Sullivan, Ulster, Putnam and Orange counties from through Wednesday morning.
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The city and nearby suburbs are being spared the worst of the storm and is seeing primarily rain, which will pick up in intensity overnight amid wind gusts of more than 50 mph, forecasters say. Wednesday morning's rush hour commute near the city will likely be slow-going due to lingering rain and localized ponding on some roads. Airport delays are also possible.
The heaviest rain was along coastal New Jersey and Long Island, with the most intense bout to come in the pre-dawn hours. Thunderstorms are also possible.
Forecasters say the stormy weather is expected to taper off by late morning, giving way to some afternoon sun and temperatures in the low 50s.
Temperatures cool back down into the high 40s on Thursday and the chance for scattered showers returns, meteorologists say. Lingering showers are also possible Friday. The weekend dips slightly cooler, with temperatures capping off in the low- to mid-40s amid cloudy skies.
