STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — You don’t have to be gold medal figure skater Dorothy Hamill to know it’s a bit icy out — one wrong step and you’re halfway into a triple axel.
Staten Island drivers should prepare for hazardous road conditions as overnight temperatures plunge into the single digits, a recurring theme that’s expected to continue for the rest of the week.
Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said temperatures will drop into the single digits each night, with some warmer areas staying around 10 degrees. Even during the day, temperatures will remain below freezing.
The cold snap creates specific concerns for road safety. Snow that melts in the sun during daylight hours will likely refreeze once the sun sets and temperatures drop further, Chenard said. Roads that appear safe during the day could develop icy patches overnight.
“Some roads that may be good during the day could at least have some icy spots once the sun goes down and the temperatures really start to drop,” Chenard said.
While some road treatments can prevent refreezing even in cold temperatures, not all roads receive such treatment. Chenard acknowledged that it’s difficult to predict exactly where or how widespread the icy conditions will be, as it depends on the condition of individual roads.
The meteorologist noted that this cold period will be similar to conditions following other major storms the area has experienced, though a bit colder.
Drivers should exercise caution during overnight and early morning hours when ice is most likely to form.