Brace yourself, New Yorkers—winter is officially here! After a string of unusually mild Decembers, the first measurable snowfall of the season is set to blanket the city and surrounding areas this weekend. But here's where it gets controversial: while some may welcome the picturesque snowscapes, others are dreading the icy chaos it could bring. So, what can you expect, and when?
By Matthew Villafane and Justin Lewis
Updated on: December 14, 2025 / 12:04 AM EST / CBS New York
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The CBS News New York First Alert Weather Team has declared a First Alert Weather Day for Saturday night into Sunday as a winter storm moves into the Tri-State Area. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, the lower Hudson Valley, and southern Connecticut from 10 p.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Sunday. While this storm isn’t a blockbuster, it’s significant enough to disrupt travel and daily routines.
And this is the part most people miss: even after the snow stops, bitter cold and freezing temperatures will linger, creating hazardous conditions on roads and sidewalks. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Snowfall Predictions by Region:
- NYC: 2–4 inches overall, with southern Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island seeing 4–6 inches.
- Long Island: 2–4 inches on the North Shore, 4–6 inches on the South Shore (locally higher amounts possible).
- New Jersey: Central Jersey and the Jersey Shore could get 4–6 inches, especially in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Northern NJ and the Lower Hudson Valley: 2–4 inches. Upper Hudson Valley and far Northwestern NJ: 1–2 inches.
Weekend Snow Timeline:
- 12 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday: Peak storm hours. As temperatures drop into the upper 20s, precipitation turns to moderate to heavy snow, with rates up to 1 inch per hour. Winds will also pick up.
- 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday: The storm begins to wind down, with precipitation ending from west to east. Accumulation will generally range from 2–4 inches, higher in southern and eastern areas.
Bold prediction: This could be the snowiest December day for NYC since 2020. But the real concern isn’t just the snow—it’s the aftermath. Winds will gust up to 35 mph, and temperatures will plummet into the teens by Sunday night, with wind chills making it feel like single digits or even below zero. This is the coldest start to December in 18 years, and the rapid freeze could turn roads and sidewalks into ice rinks.
Preparations Underway:
The city is gearing up to combat the storm. The Sanitation Department has issued a snow alert from 7 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday, pre-treating highways with brine and deploying over 700 salt spreaders. Plowing will begin once accumulation reaches 2 inches. The MTA is monitoring tracks and switches, salting platforms, and pre-staging snow-fighting vehicles. Bus routes may be adjusted based on road conditions.
A controversial question: Are these measures enough to prevent the kind of gridlock we’ve seen in past storms? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
NYC Emergency Management has also issued a Code Blue from 4 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday due to extreme cold. Outreach teams will be checking on at-risk residents, ensuring they have shelter and transportation. The Office of Emergency Management encourages all New Yorkers to do the same for vulnerable neighbors.
For the latest weather updates, visit https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/weather/.
So, are you ready for winter’s first punch? Or do you think the city could be doing more to prepare? Share your thoughts below—we want to hear from you!
