Winter storm warnings - latest: Up to 8 inches of snow could fall in NYC as Northeast braces for ‘thundersnow’

The rare phenomenon of “thundersnow” - when thunderstorms and snowfall happen at the same time - was witnessed in Nashville on Monday night.

Ahead of tonight’s winter storm, New York City has issued a “code blue,” which means shelters cannot deny unhoused people seeking a place to stay while it is in effect.

New York City officials will also run 24-hour drop-in centres and enlist volunteers to contact vulnerable people to inform them about the resources available.

At least half a foot of snow is likely for parts of New York City and Long Island while areas of interior Connecticut and the Lower Hudson Valley could see closer to a foot of snow on Tuesday.

Here's a map showing the latest forecast from National Weather Service (NWS).

All tractor-trailers are banned from travelling on highways across Connecticut in preparation of the snowstorm.

Governor Ned Lamont signed an order that bans all tandem tractor-trailers and empty tractor-trailers from travelling on all limited-access highways across the state, he wrote on X, previously known as Twitter.

The ban goes into effect at 12 am on Tuesday and will remain in effect until further notice.

The coastal storm that is expected to pack high winds and dump a foot or more of snow has already led to school closures, with warnings also issued against road travel and the possible disruption of flights.

Some of the highest snowfall totals were forecast for the northern suburbs of New York City and southwestern Connecticut, where 12 to 15 inches were possible, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind gusts could hit 60 mph (100 kph) off the Massachusetts coast and 40 mph (65 kph) in interior parts of southern New England.

"It will make for a messy commute tomorrow morning," Christina Speciale, a meteorologist for the weather service in Albany, New York, said.

"This is a fast-moving storm, so things should be cleared out by tomorrow afternoon."

Massachusetts governor Maura Healey told all non-essential Executive Branch employees to not report to work on Tuesday. Boston schools were closing and a parking ban was in effect. Similar closures and bans were put in place in other cities and towns. Emergency officials had equipment in place to help keep roads clear.

Ahead of tonight’s winter storm, New York City has issued a “code blue,” which means shelters cannot deny unhoused people seeking a place to stay while it is in effect.

New York City officials will also run 24-hour drop-in centres and enlist volunteers to contact vulnerable people to inform them about the resources available.

New York Mayor Eric Adams reiterated warnings to New Yorkers to stay off the roads unless necessary, ahead of the thick snow.

Mr Adams said his office nad been monitoring forecasts since last week and that “all our teams are ready”.

“Please avoid driving unless absolutely necessary, especially during the morning commute. If you do need to leave your home, please use public transit,” he said.