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Nasty Weather Intensifies In NYC As Remnants Of Zeta Collide With Wintry System
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Oct 29, 2020
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DAN ANDERSON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Oct 29, 2020
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The remnants of Tropical Storm Zeta are expected to lash New York City on Thursday, just as a wintry air mass cruises in from the north, bringing heavy rain, gusty wind, and a swift end to your plans for one more outdoor hang before the city is swallowed by darkness.
The dreary, potentially dangerous weather comes as the former Hurricane Zeta races northeast in the Mid-Atlantic states, after crashing into Louisiana on Wednesday as a Category 2 Hurricane. Zeta, a record-setting 11th named storm of the season, knocked out power for 2.3 million homes and businesses, and killed at least three people.
While New York remains outside Zeta's direct path, our region is still expected to see some lingering effects. In an advisory, the state warned that the storm, combined with cold Canadian air, could create hazardous travel conditions beginning on Thursday morning.
New York City and Long Island could see up to two inches of rain and wind gusts of 40 miles per hour. The worst of that is expected to come between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., including possible torrential downpours and localized flooding.
Meanwhile, northern parts of the state are expected to get hit with several inches of snow.
"New Yorkers are well accustomed to intense October storms and this one has the potential to deliver a mixed medley of cold rain, wind and snow across much of the state," Governor Cuomo said in a statement. "Our state emergency response assets are prepared to assist our local partners if needed."
The MTA is also taking precautions to add staffing at certain command center and debris removal trains throughout the system.
The rain will continue into Friday, as temperatures drop to the mid-40s, followed by a rumored appearance of the sun on Saturday. This very brief respite will be immediately overshadowed by the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, with a not insignificant chance next week of plunging into four straight years of darkness and gloom.
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Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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