Strong Storm Moving into the New York City Metro Area Later Today...

An intensifying area of low pressure will continue to track northeastward from the Tennessee River Valley this afternoon.  The storm is forecast to move close to New York City late tonight and Thursday morning.  A High Wind Warning is in effect for the entire New York City metropolitan area with gusts as high as 60 mph expected.  A Winter Weather Advisory and Winter Storm Warning are posted for the northern and western suburbs of New York City for 2 to 6 inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain that could lead to downed trees and power lines.  As much as 1 to 2 inches of rain is forecast for the city and along the coast.  The storm will move away by Thursday afternoon into New England. 
There is a chance of light snow Saturday and Saturday night and again around next Wednesday for the New York City metropolitan area and the latest forecast models indicate that the weather will be seasonably cold for the next 1 to 2 weeks.  Stormy conditions with more heavy snow in the mountains will continue today for the Pacific Northwest.  The trend for this area is for the frequent storms to continue to move into the area.  The NAO is forecast to trend to a positive phase in the next two weeks according to the GFS model and this normally means that there will be milder weather and less snow for the Northeast.  Let's see if this verifies in the next several days. 
George Wright is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist for Wright Weather Consulting, LLC. George is also a meteorologist with ABC News and Cablevision News 12. Our website is WrightWeather.com.