inclement weather to affect New Yorkers’ holiday travel

Following days of mild temperatures, New York will be struck Wednesday by a drastic weather change and the first snow storm of the season, potentially putting a dent in travelers’ plans as they head out of the City on Thanksgiving Eve.

“Rain will begin in the New York City area around sunrise Wednesday thenchange to snow during the afternoon and end early Wednesday night,” said Senior Accuweather Meteorologist Tom Kines in an interview Tuesday. “Snow will accumulate 1-3 inches in and around the city, 3-6 inches in western andnorthernsuburbs and 6-10 inches west ofthe I-287 corridor.”

The National Weather Service reports that temperatures will drop to 26 degrees on Wednesday, with a 100% chance of precipitation and winds ranging from 5 to 9 mph.

“Whilenot a majorsnowstorm for the bigcities, there will no doubt be airportdelayscausedby the rain and snow,” said Kines, an assumption that will no doubt put fear in the hearts of travelers heading out of town by plane. Those staying in the Northeast area and visiting northern ski destinations should rejoice, however, as Kines says areas like the Poconos and Catskills will receive “significant snowfall, making ski operators happy.”

The Port Authority, which oversees travel in New York and New Jersey, planned to bring in extra staff to bridges, tunnels and airports in preparation for Wednesday’s weather.

“As far as [flight] cancellations go, that’s a decision that’s made by the airlines, not by the Port Authority,” said Steve Coleman, a Port Authority spokesperson. “Our job here is to keep the facilities and the airports and the tunnels and bridges free of snow and operating, and that’s what we’re planning to do.”

Coleman said that while the day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year at all Port Authority facilities, the organization expects a 4% increase this year in passengers flying out of the City throughout the weekend.