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A Sanitation truck cleared snow on Moreland Street in 2013.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city Office of Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory for Wednesday, with a mixture of rain or snow in the forecast.
The latest prediction from the National Weather Service calls for rain and snow Wednesday morning, with a change to primarily snow by early afternoon and a total of 3-5 inches of heavy, wet snow possible across the city. There may be periods of rain mixing in during the afternoon.
AccuWeather.com, meanwhile, is calling for snowfall of 1-3 inches.
A National Weather Service winter weather advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. on Thursday.
The Office of Emergency Management offered the following suggestions for motorists and pedestrians:
For Motorists
- If you must drive a vehicle, monitor weather and traffic reports for the latest road conditions. Use mass transportation whenever possible.
- Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible as these roadways will be cleared first.
- Drive slowly. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions. Vehicles, including those with 4-wheel drive, take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
- If you skid, steer in the direction you want the car to go and straighten the wheel when the car moves in the desired direction.
- Keep the name and phone number of at least one local towing service in your car in case you break down or become stuck in the snow.
- Try to keep your vehicle's gas tank as full as possible.
- If you get stuck on the road stay with your car and contact a towing company.
For Pedestrians
- Exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible.
- Wear layers including a hat, gloves and scarf to stay protected from the cold. And, keep clothes and shoes dry.
- Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside.
- Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
The Department of Sanitation has issued a snow alert for Wednesday, with personnel ready to load salt spreaders, attach plows and tire chains and make other preparations in anticipation of the storm.