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New York snow: Mayor De Blasio defends snow warnings US snow: National Weather Service admits forecast error
(about 2 hours later)
New York City's mayor has responded to claims officials overreacted to the threat posed by a major winter storm, saying: "We dodged a bullet." The US National Weather Service (NWS) has admitted its forecasts were wrong, after predicting a "potentially historic blizzard" would strike.
As New York awoke to a blanket of snow less deep than feared, forecasts were downgraded and a transport ban was lifted in the city. The storm piled deep snow on Connecticut and Massachusetts, but New York City was largely spared.
But there has been heavy snow across the northeast US, with more than 2ft (60cm) in Massachusetts alone. The city's mayor, Bill de Blasio, defended claims he had overreacted to warnings, saying he had only acted on the information available.
Blizzard warnings remain along the coast from Long Island to Maine.Blizzard warnings remain along the coast from Long Island to Maine.
Speaking to CNN, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "This is a better-safe-than-sorry scenario." "Rapidly deepening winter storms are very challenging to predict," the NWS wrote on its Facebook page.
He added: "We did what was necessary to keep everyone safe." "The storm has moved further east and will be departing faster than our forecasts of the past two days.
Blizzard warnings for New York City and New Jersey have been lifted, with some public transport resuming in New York. "The result is much less snow than previously predicted for the western half of our region," it added.
A teenage boy was killed in a sledging accident on Long lsland, one of the worst-affected parts of New York state. On Monday an emergency was declared in a swathe of north-eastern states, and meteorologists predicted up to 90cm (36in) of snow. Officials later downgraded the numbers.
On Monday an emergency was declared in a swathe of north-eastern states, and meteorologists predicted up to 90cm (36in) of snow. Officials later revised the snow forecasts but the emergencies remain in place. The New York City authorities imposed a driving ban - since lifted - and took the unprecedented step of shutting the subway.
At the scene: Martha Kearney, BBC News, New York But on Tuesday New Yorkers awoke to a blanket of snow less deep than feared, and since then city life has been getting back to normal.
The city that never sleeps certainly seemed pretty dozy. The only vehicles about were police cars and snow ploughs. "Would you rather be prepared or unprepared? Would you rather be safe or unsafe?" said Mr de Blasio, defending the moves.
It was still freezing, though, so I headed inside for a cup of tea and to watch the news where politicians were being grilled about their decisions to close the streets and public transport. Analysis
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that weather is imprecise by its very nature and that they had planned as best they could but safety had to come first. He pointed out that parts of Long Island had been badly hit. Nick Bryant, BBC News, New York
So what about the weather forecasts which seemed to have got things wrong? One meteorologist made an interesting Freudian slip when he said "we didn't get the weather we hoped for". The broadcasters had some fun too. NBC anchor Matt Lauer made a snow angel on 5th Avenue. Shutting down the New York subway system, for the first time in its history because of snow, can easily be viewed in retrospect like overkill. So does bringing in a car curfew, which banned non-emergency vehicles from the streets from 23:00 last night.
And in Central Park the kids were enjoying the day off school. Walking the empty streets of Manhattan pre-dawn, and seeing the snow, we all found ourselves asking the same question: "Is that it?"
Boston also imposed a travel ban, and subway systems in New York and Boston were suspended. It reminded me of that scene from Crocodile Dundee, when Mick Dundee is confronted by muggers wielding a switchblade. "That's not a knife," he says, pulling out a much scarier weapon. "This is a knife."
The heaviest snowfall has been reported in Connecticut and Massachusetts, which saw 52cm (20.5in) and 67cm (26.2in) respectively, compared to the 13cm (5.5in) seen in New York's Central Park. That's not a storm, some New Yorkers told us, as they made their way to work muttering that Bill de Blasio had got it badly wrong.
Thousands of people are without power in Massachusetts, local media reported. New Yorkers ask 'Is that it?'
The National Weather Service (NWS) is still warning of potentially life-threatening conditions along the New England coast, as the storm heads north into Canada. "My job as the leader is to make decisions and I will always err on the side of safety and caution."
Other areas of New York state saw much heavier snowfall, with a teenage boy killed in a sledging accident on Long lsland.
Worst affected elsewhere were Connecticut and Massachusetts, which saw 52cm (20.5in) and 67cm (26.2in) respectively, compared to the 13cm (5.5in) seen in New York's Central Park.
Thousands of people are without power, mostly in Massachusetts. The state's only nuclear power station shut down after the blizzard interrupted its power flow.
But Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker said the snow had been "fluffier and lighter" than anticipated, meaning there were less power outages.
"The wind here is tremendous, it's difficult to see very far out the window," said Christie Craigheard in New Hampshire, another of the affected areas."The wind here is tremendous, it's difficult to see very far out the window," said Christie Craigheard in New Hampshire, another of the affected areas.
In other developments: The NWS is still warning of potentially life-threatening conditions along the New England coast, as the storm heads north into Canada.
'Matter of life and death'
The NWS had previously warned that a "potentially historic blizzard" was approaching the north-east.
But the blizzard appeared less severe than expected on Tuesday morning, with snowfall levels ranging from 2.5cm (1in) in Washington DC to 38cm (15in) at New York State's Islip airport at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT).
Meteorologists expect the snow and strong winds to continue throughout Tuesday, before weakening overnight.Meteorologists expect the snow and strong winds to continue throughout Tuesday, before weakening overnight.
"In areas close to the immediate coastline... hurricane force wind gusts to near 120km/h (75mph) will be possible," the NWS said. Air travel remains disrupted, with more than 5,000 flights cancelled, according to flightaware.com.
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo warned residents against travelling unless it was completely necessary. Schools across the region are expected to remain closed until Wednesday, with public transport expected to be back to normal in New York by then too.
"The roads are still dangerous and they are passable, but there is a level of ice under the snow in many areas. And if you don't have to travel today, you really don't want to be travelling today."
Echoing his words, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to stay out of the way of the 2,300 snowploughs clearing city streets.
Similar bans for non-emergency vehicles were enacted in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Are you in the north-east USA? How are coping with the blizzard? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the north-east USA? How are coping with the blizzard? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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