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Outdoor dining has been suspended from tomorrow at 2pm as weather forecasters warn of up to 12 inches of snow on the way Wednesday night.
The Department of Sanitation issued a snow alert and has projected that the outdoor dining closure would last until Thursday night — but it warned this could be pushed back to Friday, if total snowfall and road conditions are worse than expected. Alternate side parking has also been canceled for Wednesday and Thursday.
“This midweek major winter storm, is not just a potential, but a likelihood,” said Jeff Smith, Weatherperson at Eyewitness News last night. “We’re more and more confident, that it could be one of the biggest storms we’ve had in years in the New York city Metro area. Right now, we’re thinking the timing is later Wednesday, right through Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The brunt of this storm could involve blizzard like conditions with heavy snow and strong gusty winds.”
CBS News reports that New York City could see anywhere from 8 to 12 inches of accumulation. The more aggressive model shows areas north and west of the city getting closer to 2 feet.
Restaurants have been instructed to secure or remove outdoor seating; regularly remove snow from overhead coverings; and bring electrical heaters inside.
Acting Department of Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson said his crews are gearing up for a big one.
“The men and women of the Sanitation Department are coming. Every street is on a route and our mission is to complete all our routes,” he told CBS2.