Winter Storm Watch: New forecast shows 5–12 inches for NYC area
A winter storm watch appears in forecasts as a new projection shows 5–12 inches of snow expected for the NYC area as part of a weekend nor'easter. The broader East Coast storm is expected Sunday and Monday, and separate NYC and NJ forecasts now warn up to 10 inches for the Sunday portion of the event.
Winter Storm Watch and forecast details
The headline projection centers on a weekend nor'easter that models place over the East Coast, with the main window of concern spanning Sunday into Monday. The phrase winter storm watch has entered public forecasts alongside estimates that the NYC region could receive between 5 and 12 inches of snow as this system moves through. Forecasts for New Jersey and New York City also call out a shorter-term peak for Sunday, with warnings of up to 10 inches in some areas for that day of the storm.
Snow totals for NYC and New Jersey
Forecast material shows a range of expected snowfall for the NYC area — 5–12 inches — with parallel local forecasts for NYC and New Jersey highlighting a somewhat tighter expectation of up to 10 inches for Sunday. The two sets of numbers reflect the common pattern for coastal nor'easters, in which accumulations shift over short distances and can vary between a broad regional forecast and more focused local guidance.
Timing, impacts and forward look
The storm's main timing is the weekend, with the East Coast portion expected Sunday and Monday. Near-term impacts will depend on how the system's precipitation bands set up along the coast; if observed snowfall matches the 5–12 inch range for the NYC area and the up-to-10-inch guidance for Sunday holds, travel disruptions and reduced visibility are likely where the heavier bands track. Decision points for transportation and local response will hinge on model adjustments over the next forecast cycle and any shifts in the track or intensity of the nor'easter.
Planners and residents should monitor updated forecasts as the event approaches. If snowfall trends above the mid-range of current projections, wider closures and delays would become more likely; if the heavier bands shift offshore, impacts in some urban and suburban neighborhoods could be lessened. These are conditional scenarios tied directly to the forecast numbers and timing available now.
Coverage and guidance continue to emphasize the weekend nor'easter as the primary concern for the East Coast, with specific snowfall guidance for NYC and New Jersey focused on the Sunday portion of the storm.
