Polar vortex to ‘wreak havoc’ in NYC Tuesday: Prepare for deep freeze, black ice

January 7, 2014 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

b_cold_weather_NOAA.jpg

Share this:

Warning of “bitter cold and wind,” wind chills of 15 below zero and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph, the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory and Hazardous Weather Outlook in Brooklyn and the entire New York City area until 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Actual temperatures are expected to range between 8 and 13 degrees F, with a steady 25 to 35 mph wind.

The agency cautions that extremely low temperatures can cause frostbite and hypothermia.

Rapidly falling temperatures Monday night will also cause any residual moisture on roadways to freeze and create “black ice.” Snow flurries may occur through Tuesday morning.

Jet Blue warned that the “polar vortex” -– cold air pushed into the U.S. from the Arctic — would wreak havoc on flight schedules and airports in the northeast would turn into “ice rinks.” Beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jet Blue reduced operations at JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Boston. All fights were canceled by 5 p.m. The airline expects to gradually ramp up again on Tuesday, and hopes to be “100 percent operational” by 3 p.m.

According to the MTA, when temperatures reach 10 degrees or less, express trains may run local on many lines and service on the 7 line between Times Square and Grand Central may be suspended.

Amtrak will operate a modified schedule on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston, as well as the Empire Line between New York City and Albany on Tuesday.

The deep freeze is caused by an “arctic frontal passage,” the Weather Service said.

New York City told contractors and property owners on Monday night to secure equipment and loose articles on their buildings. The city Department of Buildings said it would do random, spot-check inspections at construction sites.

Alternate Side Parking is suspended on Tuesday, January 7. Meters and all other parking regulations remain in effect.