Nor'easter expected to bring heaviest snow in over 2 years

Heavy snowfall will spread over parts of the Northeast starting late Monday and into today, with some areas expected to get up to 2 inches of snow an hour, National Weather Service forecasters said.

This is not a long-lasting storm; the snow will come down quickly and in some cases pile up to 1 foot or more.

Even New York City's Central Park, which hasn't been coated in a half a foot of snow or more since Jan. 29, 2022, could see the return of sledding, snowballs and snowmen by Tuesday afternoon.

Here are key things to know about the storm.

Snow is looking more likely for New York City, with the possibility of over 6 inches. It will start as rain in the city and will most likely transition to snow around the morning commute Tuesday.

There remains some uncertainty around when, exactly, the precipitation will change from rain to snow in the New York metro area, which would affect eventual snow totals.

The band of heaviest snow will fall from northern New Jersey to southern New England. Cities including Boston are likely to receive 1 foot of snow or more.

Schools are announcing closures before Tuesday's storm. Boston Public Schools will be closed, according to the district's website, and New York City Public Schools also announced that classes would be held remotely.

Snow is likely from the mid-Atlantic through New England.

In its latest forecasts early Monday, the weather service said its forecasters were confident that Connecticut and the lower Hudson Valley in New York would see at least 6 inches of snow.

The heaviest snow will fall in northern Pennsylvania and southern New York before tracking into southern New England today, the weather service said. As much as 1 foot of snow is expected in those areas, particularly in the Catskills of New York and the Berkshires in Massachusetts, forecasters said.

A winter storm watch was in effect for Long Island, New York City and part of northeast New Jersey, meaning there is potential for heavy snow.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City said the heavy precipitation was expected across all five boroughs starting late Monday, leading to slippery roads and low visibility during the morning commute.

“We have not had any significant snowfall for quite some time,” Adams said. “The time has come. Mother Nature does what she wants to do.”

PETER MORGAN – THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Parts of the Northeast were preparing Monday for a coastal storm that was expected to pack high winds and dump a foot or more of snow in some areas, leading to school closures, warnings against traveling by road and the possible disruption of flights.