Snow Day or Snow Job

Meteorologists warned that snow starting yesterday would dump up to a foot of snow (maybe 14 inches on Long Island!) by this morning, but will we see that much? National Weather Service meterologist John Murray said that the winter storm warning is in effect till 6 p.m. tonight, with wind gusts up to 35 mph, "It's a classic Nor'easter, that's for sure."

WCBS 2 meteorologist Elise Finch (pictured) said, "By about 2 a.m., that's when we're expecting to see the heaviest snow. We could see an inch an hour, and in some cases, an inch or two an hour... From 2 a.m. to 10 a.m., that's when we're expecting the heaviest of the snow... We're expecting to see school cancellations as we head into it."

Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty said, "We're going to be making every effort to have the roadways open...I hope to have about 1,600 plows, plus another 500 pieces of miscellaneous salt equipment and other machinery to clear the roadways" (we did spy sanitation trucks plowing and salting), noting the the $1 million/inch cost of dealing with the snow. Mayor Bloomberg told NYC residents to check NYC.gov or call 311 for school closings, "It's the first of March, which you know is the month that we say comes in like a lion and out like a lamb," adding, "I do want to ask New Yorkers as ever to check in on elderly or infirm neighbors and if you're going to the store this afternoon see if there is anything you can bring them. We also urge New Yorkers to take public transit tonight and tomorrow to help clear the streets as quickly as possible."

NYC Transit is readying its crews to deal with snow and ice at stations and on the tracks, as at the bus depots, to make sure tomorrow's commute is not terribly painful. And NJ Transit customers can use their passes, whether it's rail, bus or light rail, on the whole NJT system.

Update 8 a.m.: Well, if you have kids in NYC public schools you know: Schools are closed! The last time a snow day was called by the Schools Chancellor, it was January 27, 2004.