The Morning After The Storm
It won't be known as the "The Blizzard of 2010." But that doesn't mean Wednesday's massive snowstorm didn't leave a mark.
The National Weather Service said Thursday that conditions around the metropolitan area didn't qualify for blizzard status, but meteorologist Nelson Vaz says it came close.
Snow totals ranged from 10 to 16 inches around New York City, Long Island and northeastern New Jersey. The lower Hudson Valley got 6 to 12 inches.
Wind gusts sometimes hit 40 mph Wednesday, with visibility as low as quarter of a mile.
New York City public schools were reopening Thursday after closing for the first time in six years on Wednesday. Kids in Yonkers got another day off however.
New York City worked overtime to clear streets. Pedestrians were asked to be patient in dealing with piles of snow at street corners and bus stops.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg commended the city's Department of Sanitation for their diligent work through the storm hours and into Thursday morning.
Bloomberg said even the smallest streets have received attention from the city's fleets of more than 2,000 snow plows.
"I'm happy our sanitation department won't leave any street unplowed. One plow will go down every single street. Major roads are down to pavement, and secondary roads are all plowed," said Bloomberg on Wednesday.
City sanitation crews are paying particular attention to the city's 1,400 schools reopening Thursday morning after only their third snow day in eight years. School employees all over New York City worked through the night to make sure their schools' walkways were safe for students.
Local business owners and home owners have been spending the wee hours shoveling and scraping the sidewalks, worried about a city ordinance that says all sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice by 11 a.m. Thursday, or face a fine of up to $100. For many others, Thursday will be all about digging out the car.
"This is nothing new to us New Yorkers," said Queens resident Alexander Martinez. "You know we have to get in and out of it every time it falls."
The storm closed courts, the United Nations headquarters and the city's zoos.
The weather service had issued a 24-hour blizzard warning early Wednesday.
During an official blizzard, winds frequently gust to at least 35 mph, and visibility is a quarter-mile or less. But that has to occur simultaneously for three hours straight. On Thursday, it may have happened for "a couple of hours" in some places, Vaz said.
Practically speaking, though, it was still a heck of a storm.
Vaz said he'd had a "rough drive" to work for his overnight shift in Upton, on eastern Long Island. When he got home to Manorville on Thursday morning, he faced more shoveling.
"It's a heavy, wet snow," said the weatherman. "That's the one where it's a lot harder to shovel -- a lot more strenuous."
His implement of choice? "A regular, old-fashioned shovel."
New Jersey:
Officials are urging motorists in New Jersey to drive slow and allow extra time in the wake of the widespread snowstorm.
Transportation Department spokesman Joe Dee says all major highways are passable. Some 1,350 plows and salt spreaders are still working to clear spots.
Dee says motorists will find sections of hard compressed snow on Routes 10 and 23 in north Jersey and along spots of Interstates 195 and 295 in central Jersey.
Motorists will face slushy conditions on Routes 42 and 55 in south Jersey.
Motorists are advised to drive slowly on ramps.
Dee says there was 20 inches of snow in central New Jersey, 18 inches in the south and 16 in the north.
Tri-State Mass Transit:
Whether you're on the roads or rails, if you're heading back to work on Thursday you might not be in for your typical commute.
New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Rail Road are determined to make sure everyone gets where they need to go bright and early Thursday following a snowstorm on Wednesday that forced thousands of people to take a day off from work.
NJ Transit buses stopped running during the height of Wednesday's storm, but trains stayed on track. However, getting to your destination on Thursday is no guarantee.
So here's what should you expect for the morning's commute on the rails: delays and cancellations.
NJ Transit buses will be making their rounds in south Jersey Thursday.
Spokesman Dan Stessel says service will resume at 7 a.m. It had been suspended because the roads were too dangerous.
NJ Transit bus service will resume in northern New Jersey at 6 a.m., but riders should expect delays.
The Jersey Avenue train station will be closed, so use the New Brunswick station instead.
Northeast Corridor trains will be combined. You should give yourself an extra 30 minutes as you head out the door.
The same will go for the Raritan Valley line.
The best advice is to check out your route online before heading out the door, especially if you transfer at Newark's Penn Station or in Secaucus.
The Thursday commute is also a big issue over on Long Island, where the LIRR is working feverishly to make sure everyone gets where they need to go.
As of 5 a.m. Thursday, according to CBS 2's Ross Palombo, who was live from Mineola, the LIRR appeared to be functioning normally. Passengers, unlike Wednesday, were actually at the station waiting for their commute to work. Rails looked pretty clear, as did the platforms and stairwells.
Slushy NYC Streets:
On Thursday, as CBS 2's Magee Hickey reported from the field before 5 a.m., the side walks and side streets weren't as clean as some of the larger roadways.
"You really not to be practical today. Wear boots that will keep your feet dry and that have good traction. Fashion takes a back seat today," said Hickey.
All the plowed snow on the city streets has turned into slush on almost every street corner. Walking around in the five boroughs will be messy.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city worked overtime to clear streets, especially the major thoroughfares.
But Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty asked New Yorkers to be patient for another day in dealing with piles of snow at street corners and bus stops.
The National Weather Service said Thursday that conditions around the metropolitan area didn't qualify for blizzard status, but meteorologist Nelson Vaz says it came close.
Snow totals ranged from 10 to 16 inches around New York City, Long Island and northeastern New Jersey. The lower Hudson Valley got 6 to 12 inches.
Wind gusts sometimes hit 40 mph Wednesday, with visibility as low as quarter of a mile.
New York City public schools were reopening Thursday after closing for the first time in six years on Wednesday. Kids in Yonkers got another day off however.
New York City worked overtime to clear streets. Pedestrians were asked to be patient in dealing with piles of snow at street corners and bus stops.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg commended the city's Department of Sanitation for their diligent work through the storm hours and into Thursday morning.
Bloomberg said even the smallest streets have received attention from the city's fleets of more than 2,000 snow plows.
"I'm happy our sanitation department won't leave any street unplowed. One plow will go down every single street. Major roads are down to pavement, and secondary roads are all plowed," said Bloomberg on Wednesday.
City sanitation crews are paying particular attention to the city's 1,400 schools reopening Thursday morning after only their third snow day in eight years. School employees all over New York City worked through the night to make sure their schools' walkways were safe for students.
Local business owners and home owners have been spending the wee hours shoveling and scraping the sidewalks, worried about a city ordinance that says all sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice by 11 a.m. Thursday, or face a fine of up to $100. For many others, Thursday will be all about digging out the car.
"This is nothing new to us New Yorkers," said Queens resident Alexander Martinez. "You know we have to get in and out of it every time it falls."
The storm closed courts, the United Nations headquarters and the city's zoos.
The weather service had issued a 24-hour blizzard warning early Wednesday.
During an official blizzard, winds frequently gust to at least 35 mph, and visibility is a quarter-mile or less. But that has to occur simultaneously for three hours straight. On Thursday, it may have happened for "a couple of hours" in some places, Vaz said.
Practically speaking, though, it was still a heck of a storm.
Vaz said he'd had a "rough drive" to work for his overnight shift in Upton, on eastern Long Island. When he got home to Manorville on Thursday morning, he faced more shoveling.
"It's a heavy, wet snow," said the weatherman. "That's the one where it's a lot harder to shovel -- a lot more strenuous."
His implement of choice? "A regular, old-fashioned shovel."
New Jersey:
Officials are urging motorists in New Jersey to drive slow and allow extra time in the wake of the widespread snowstorm.
Transportation Department spokesman Joe Dee says all major highways are passable. Some 1,350 plows and salt spreaders are still working to clear spots.
Dee says motorists will find sections of hard compressed snow on Routes 10 and 23 in north Jersey and along spots of Interstates 195 and 295 in central Jersey.
Motorists will face slushy conditions on Routes 42 and 55 in south Jersey.
Motorists are advised to drive slowly on ramps.
Dee says there was 20 inches of snow in central New Jersey, 18 inches in the south and 16 in the north.
Tri-State Mass Transit:
Whether you're on the roads or rails, if you're heading back to work on Thursday you might not be in for your typical commute.
New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Rail Road are determined to make sure everyone gets where they need to go bright and early Thursday following a snowstorm on Wednesday that forced thousands of people to take a day off from work.
NJ Transit buses stopped running during the height of Wednesday's storm, but trains stayed on track. However, getting to your destination on Thursday is no guarantee.
So here's what should you expect for the morning's commute on the rails: delays and cancellations.
NJ Transit buses will be making their rounds in south Jersey Thursday.
Spokesman Dan Stessel says service will resume at 7 a.m. It had been suspended because the roads were too dangerous.
NJ Transit bus service will resume in northern New Jersey at 6 a.m., but riders should expect delays.
The Jersey Avenue train station will be closed, so use the New Brunswick station instead.
Northeast Corridor trains will be combined. You should give yourself an extra 30 minutes as you head out the door.
The same will go for the Raritan Valley line.
The best advice is to check out your route online before heading out the door, especially if you transfer at Newark's Penn Station or in Secaucus.
The Thursday commute is also a big issue over on Long Island, where the LIRR is working feverishly to make sure everyone gets where they need to go.
As of 5 a.m. Thursday, according to CBS 2's Ross Palombo, who was live from Mineola, the LIRR appeared to be functioning normally. Passengers, unlike Wednesday, were actually at the station waiting for their commute to work. Rails looked pretty clear, as did the platforms and stairwells.
Slushy NYC Streets:
On Thursday, as CBS 2's Magee Hickey reported from the field before 5 a.m., the side walks and side streets weren't as clean as some of the larger roadways.
"You really not to be practical today. Wear boots that will keep your feet dry and that have good traction. Fashion takes a back seat today," said Hickey.
All the plowed snow on the city streets has turned into slush on almost every street corner. Walking around in the five boroughs will be messy.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city worked overtime to clear streets, especially the major thoroughfares.
But Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty asked New Yorkers to be patient for another day in dealing with piles of snow at street corners and bus stops.
Snowfall Amounts Around New Jersey
Atlantic City Airport (Atlantic County): 7.3 inches
Beachwood (Ocean County): 16 inches
Branchburg (Somerset County): 14 inches
Clark (Union County): 17 inches
Cherry Hill (Camden County): 17 inches
Ewing (Mercer County): 18.7 inches
Harrison (Hudson County): 11 inches
Hillsborough (Somerset County): 17.6 inches
Kingwood (Hunterdon County): 18 inches
Morganville (Monmouth County): 17.4 inches
Mount Holly (Burlington County): 15.9 inches
Mount Laurel (Burlington County): 14.5 inches
National Park (Gloucester County): 15.8 inches
Newark (Essex County): 13.2 inches
Millburn (Essex County): 14.2 inches
New Brunswick (Middlesex County): 16 inches
Ocean City (Cape May County): 3 inches
Parsippany (Morris County): 8 inches
Phillipsburg (Warren County): 13 inches
River Vale (Bergen County): 10.6 inches
Sparta (Sussex County): 11.7 inches
Vineland (Cumberland County): 11.3 inches
Branchburg (Somerset County): 14 inches
Clark (Union County): 17 inches
Cherry Hill (Camden County): 17 inches
Ewing (Mercer County): 18.7 inches
Harrison (Hudson County): 11 inches
Hillsborough (Somerset County): 17.6 inches
Kingwood (Hunterdon County): 18 inches
Morganville (Monmouth County): 17.4 inches
Mount Holly (Burlington County): 15.9 inches
Mount Laurel (Burlington County): 14.5 inches
National Park (Gloucester County): 15.8 inches
Newark (Essex County): 13.2 inches
Millburn (Essex County): 14.2 inches
New Brunswick (Middlesex County): 16 inches
Ocean City (Cape May County): 3 inches
Parsippany (Morris County): 8 inches
Phillipsburg (Warren County): 13 inches
River Vale (Bergen County): 10.6 inches
Sparta (Sussex County): 11.7 inches
Vineland (Cumberland County): 11.3 inches
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