There are a few things that Dombek remains confident of: The forecast for freezing temperatures and the eastward shift of a storm from the west. Given the cold conditions, unlike recent storms, this week’s system will feature purely snow, not a wintry mix of ice and rain.

While forecasters were not yet able to pinpoint just how much snow New Yorkers will see, Weather Service Meteorologist Tony Ansuini said to expect "plowable amounts" - at least several inches of snow - this weekend as "quite a messy storm system approaches.