Mike Groll/AP
Snow has already blanketed Albany, and severe weather is expected in the New York metro area until 1 p.m. on Friday.
In the calm before the first snowstorm of the New Year, John Portelli ran out to buy a new shovel and two bags of salt.
“You’ve got to be ready,” advised Portelli, 60, as he left the H. Brickman & Sons hardware store on First Ave. in Manhattan. “If I don’t use it today, I’ll use it for the next storm.”
National Weather Service forecasters said the Manhattanite would very likely need his new purchases as a wicked winter storm loomed.
Up to 8 inches of wind-whipped snow, accompanied by an arctic blast of single-digit temperatures, was expected to pummel the city, Long Island and the northern suburbs on Thursday and Friday.
Mike Groll/AP
New York City began prepping its 365 salt spreaders and snow plows on New Year’s Day for the wintry blast covering streets here in Albany on Thursday.
Wind gusts of up to 35 mph were predicted, and the wind chill was expected to hit 10 below 0 on Friday.
New Mayor Bill de Blasio, in just his second day in office, was briefed by Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty in the hours before the first flakes were due to start falling.
First son Dante de Blasio fielded a couple of Twitter requests to lobby for a Friday snow day.
“I’ll see what I can do!!” he replied.
Mike Groll/AP
A plan was put in place as of New Year’s Day to bring in workers on overtime in New York City if conditions warranted it. The snowstorm in progress in Albany.
The city began loading its 365 salt spreaders and prepping its snow plows on New Year’s Day. A plan was already in place to bring in workers on overtime if the storm warranted it.
The weather service has scheduled a winter storm warning to go from Thursday at 6 p.m. through Friday at 1 p.m. for “heavy snow, strong winds and dangerously cold wind chills.”
The city Department of Buildings warned property owners and contractors to properly secure buildings and construction sites — or face possible fines or a work stoppage.
City officials plan random spot-checks to insure compliance with the law.
Mike Groll/AP
As ‘heavy snow, strong winds and dangerously cold wind chills’ threatened, New York City’s new first son assured Twitter users he’d lobby for a snow day on Friday. The storm in Albany on Thursday.
Gov. Cuomo has already warned that state officials could shut down major highways on Long Island and in Westchester County.
The Long Island Expressway, along with Interstate 84 and Interstate 684 north of the city, are likely targets for closure once the storm arrives.
Ruben Morales, the manager at H. Brickman, said storm-related supplies started flying off the shelves as soon as the doors opened.
“We’ve been selling shovels, hand warmers, weather stripping, windshield fluid, snow brushes, gloves — you name it,” said Morales, 60.
Others opted for sustenance over snow shovels.
Demry Reyes, 58, exited The Food Emporium near Union Square with a shopping cart full of food.
“I’m a personal shopper, and my boss — she said to get food for the storm,” said Reyes. “She lives down the road. Today we’re getting more than normal. I bought water, juices and bread.”
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