Up to 7 inches of snow possible for parts of NY, NJ: Timeline, forecast and predicted totals
NEW YORK - Snow could be coming to the Tri-State Area just as December begins, and the National Weather Service now says some areas north and west of New York City could see higher totals than earlier expected.
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Snow forecast projection for the East (FOX Weather)
The latest National Weather Service (NWS) briefing, issued early on Monday, shows a stronger signal for accumulating snow inland as a coastal storm moves in on Tuesday.
NYC weather Tuesday: When is it going to snow?
Timeline:
The NWS predicted the most likely shift from snow to a wintry mix and then rain on Tuesday:
- 4 a.m.: Widespread snow inland; mix/rain near the coast.
- 7 a.m.: Snow continues inland; NYC transitions toward a mix.
- 10 a.m.: Rain moves into the city; mixing continues northward.
- 1–4 p.m.: Most of the region is rain, except pockets of lingering snow northwest.
- 7 p.m.: Precipitation tapers, ending as a light mix inland.
How many inches of snow are we getting on Tuesday?
By the numbers:
New York City and the immediate coast may see little to no snow, but parts of the Hudson Valley, northern New Jersey and Connecticut are in line for several inches before the changeover to rain.
According to the National Weather Service, snow will begin early Tuesday across the interior, with a transition to rain from south to north during the morning. According to NWS, snowfall projections have increased for some counties:
Highest predicted totals
- Orange County: 4 to 7 inches possible
- Western Passaic (N.J.), Putnam (N.Y.): 3 to 5 inches
Moderate totals
- Rest of the Lower Hudson Valley, much of N.J.: 1 to 3 inches before mixing and changing to rain Tuesday morning
Lowest totals
- New York City: little or no snow
- Long Island: no snow currently expected
A map from the latest NWS briefing highlighted a corridor from northern New Jersey through the Hudson Valley and into interior Connecticut with the greatest potential for several inches of snow before the changeover.
Most Likely Snowfall - Official Forecast from NWS.
By Tuesday afternoon, most lower-elevation areas will see plain rain before precipitation tapers off as a light rain/snow mix.
The city activated parts of its flash-flood response plan on Sunday in advance of the incoming storm, preparing for drainage issues, wet roads and reduced visibility as rain becomes the dominant precipitation type.
Advisories and alerts
- A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Orange County from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday.
- Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for Putnam, Rockland, and western Passaic counties during the same timeframe.
- Interior areas could see hazardous travel Tuesday morning due to snow-covered roads.
What we don't know:
Forecasters still note uncertainty in the exact track of the low-pressure system.
A shift south and east could keep colder air in place longer — bringing higher totals farther south into coastal CT and possibly closer to NYC. A warmer track would sharply reduce totals along I-95.
What's next:
The National Weather Service will issue another briefing by 5 p.m. Monday, and officials urge commuters to prepare for slippery early-morning conditions north and west of the city.
FOX Weather updates
NYC weather radar
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The Source: This article is based on the latest forecast briefing from the National Weather Service.