NEW YORK CITY — The worst of the snowstorm set to pummel the city Thursday will kick into high gear at daybreak and won't let up until it's dumped up to a foot, forecasters said.
The winter chaos follows a balmy Wednesday, which hit a record high of 62 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
"Temperatures are obviously above average now," Weather Service spokesman Tim Morrin said Wednesday.
But once the storm arrives, New Yorkers can expect "near blizzard conditions," gusting winds up to 35 mph and temperatures in the upper 20s, he said.
Here's what to expect, hour by hour, according to forecasters:
THURSDAY
► 6:57 a.m. (sunrise) — About 2 inches will have accumulated and the storm will intensify.
► Morning rush — Snow continues, dropping as much as 12 inches across the city at a rate of up to 3 inches per hour. Forecasters warned of "dangerous travel conditions."
► Winds will gust up to 35 mph with "near blizzard conditions" along the coast.
► Local bands of snow could drop as much as a foot, "if a particular location sits under a band for a while."
► Noon onward — Snow will taper off.
► 5:24 p.m. (sunset) — Snow should die off and begin a cold, dry period into Friday.
► Temperatures Thursday night should hover at about 17 degrees.
FRIDAY
► Temperatures will hover at about 29 degrees.
► Snow from the day before will stick around and New Yorkers should expect icy conditions.
