Updated 3:35 p.m.
For the second time this week, the city is experiencing a bout of nasty winter weather.
After a Monday storm dropped eight inches of flakes in the borough, a system that hit late Tuesday night brought snow as well as sleet and freezing rain.
Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Wednesday morning, saying that localities in New York City and on Long Island have reported salt shortages. He said that 3,500 tons of the state’s supply of salt will be sent to those communities.
To expedite the salt deliveries, Cuomo said the DOT has waived federal restrictions on hours for salt truck drivers, and the MTA has waived weight restrictions on bridges.
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, however, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city has the salt resources for this storm and for the next storm as it is projected.
De Blasio said the city is experiencing a blood shortage and encouraged New Yorkers to donate by calling 800-933-Blood or visiting www.nybloodcenter.org. He said he is planning to donate blood.
At the press conference he applauded city agencies’ response to the recent winter storms as well as New Yorkers’ toughness.
“This is a city that is no stranger to adversary,” the mayor said.
“Nobody likes days like today, but nobody handles days like today better than New Yorkers,” he added.
A winter storm warning is in effect through 6 p.m. Wednesday, with three to five inches of snow predicted as well as about one quarter of an inch of ice, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The snow, which started Tuesday night, changed over to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain by early Wednesday morning and eventually to just freezing rain. NWS reported 4 inches of snow in Central Park by 5 a.m. and 2.4 inches at LaGuardia Airport by 7:00 a.m.
The precipitation should taper off by tonight. Highs Wednesday will be in the low 30s.
Alternate side parking is suspended on Wednesday and Thursday to facilitate snow removal, but meters will still be in effect. Gar
The Department of Sanitation issued a ‘snow alert’ starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday and will be deploying its snow fighting equipment as needed.
To track the progress of DSNY clearing operations throughout the five boroughs, click here.
Garbage and recycling collection is canceled Wednesday, but should begin tomorrow.
A “hazardous travel advisory” is also in effect for the area Wednesday, the New York City Office of Emergency Management said.
At 8 a.m. Cuomo announced a ban on both commercial and passenger vehicles on Interstate 84 between the Pennsylvania and Connecticut borders, but lifted it by 2:20 p.m.
The mayor warned urged city residents Wednesday to use mass transit when possible and to leave extra travel time.
During the evening rush hour, the city’s subways and Long Island Rail Road will operate on normal schedules, the MTA said.
Buses will run at 85 to 90 percent capacity, but some detours, delays and suspensions are possible on a route-by-route basis.
As the rush hour winds down, subways will be stored underground on express tracks, and, as a result, express service on portions of some lines will be curtailed after rush hour, the MTA said. Subway customers should anticipate some weather-related delays
Fastrack maintenance has been canceled on the A and C lines in Brooklyn for the rest of the week.
The Metro-North Railroad will operate 75 percent of its normal evening rush hour schedule across all lines, and some local and express trains will be combined and will make additional stops, the MTA said.
Beginning at 9 p.m., Metro-North will go to hourly service for the remainder of the day. On Thursday morning, it should operate at normal AM peak service.
The storm is causing few disruptions for the city’s public schools. Chancellor Carmen Farina announced early this morning that schools are open Wednesday. All field trips are canceled, but after-school activities and PSAL activties are continuing as scheduled.
Farina said, as of about 11:30 a.m., schools were reporting 60 percent attendance.
“We knew today that we could operate them safely and effectively,” de Blasio said about the decision to keep schools open.
But students could get another chance for a snow day on Monday. More snow is expected on Sunday.
Despite the constant storms, however, not everyone is tired of the weather.
“This is how winter weather is supposed to be. For me, it beats the heat and humidity, Jackson Heights resident Kimberly Rene Oser said.
I love this year’s weather. It’s winter, said Monika Slominska. “The only minus is, I have no driveway, therefore it’s difficult to find a parking spot with all the snow around.
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