Spring arrived, and a snowstorm wasn't far behind.
A wintry coastal storm brought snow and rain to our region Sunday and early Monday, although it barely stuck to the ground in many areas of the tri-state, Storm Team 4 said.
New York City and areas to the north and west saw just a coating of snow, with as much as 1 inch in some places. Some parts of Long Island had 1 to 3 inches of snow, but even there accumulation was minimal, usually just on grassy areas. By 6:30 a.m., snowfall had ended everywhere but Suffolk County.
Drivers were advised to be on the lookout for slippery and slushy conditions on the Long Island Expressway and other roads in Nassau and Suffolk counties Monday morning.
A winter weather advisory was in effect for both Nassau and western Suffolk counties until 10 a.m. Monday. A winter storm watch was in effect for eastern Suffolk County until that time.
Many school districts on Long Island announced delayed starts of two hours on Monday in anticipation of the snowfall. Stony Brook University canceled classes until noon on Monday.
New York City got just a dusting of snow, despite earlier projections of up to 2 inches.
City officials had urged drivers to use caution on the roads, and plow equipment was readied Sunday in case it was needed.
Mayor de Blasio issued a travel advisory in New York City from Sunday night through Monday morning. Alternate side parking was suspended on Monday.
The possibility of snow led Coney Island's Luna Park to delay this year's opening festivities until next weekend.
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In New Jersey, there were a lot of snow trucks on the roads and big flakes were falling early Monday, but most of the snow didn't stick.
Conditions were expected to grow warmer Monday, with the sun coming out by early afternoon and highs reaching close to 50 degrees. Winds were expected to pick up as the storm pulls away from the area, with gusts up to 25 mph.
Any snow accumulation will have melted by Tuesday, Storm Team 4 says. The high that day is projected to be 54 degrees.
Temperatures were expected to rise after that, topping off at 67 Wednesday, then heading to the low 60s and 50s for the rest of the week. The weather was expected to be partly cloudy most of the week.
