Broadway Blizzard Watch 2/8 1:30 PM Update - Shows Currently On; Mayor Advises to 'Stay Home Tonight'

New York City residents are busy preparing for an incoming blizzard, with a reported 10-15 inches coming to the city with a storm that will get worse throughout the day, and 24-30 inches to other parts of the North East. The storm is set to hit New York, New England, and parts of New Jersey today and continuing through Saturday, February 9. News reports have warned that winds could potentially reach 45 miles per hour, with tempertures likely in the 20's.

As of 1:30 PM, all Broadway and Off-Broadway shows are currently scheduled to go on as normal, but be sure to check back for updates! For information about returns and exchanges, please contact your point of purchase.

Mayor Bloomberg has advised that the city will remain under alert through 1pm tomorrow and that downed power lines are once again a major concern outside of Manhattan due to expected winds of 50-60 miles per hour. He noted that mass transit will be on thru rush-hour and then will likely begin to wind down bus service and above ground trains as the day goes on. The subways are expected to run as normal.

The city has put its safety plan into motion and is advising residents to stay off of city streets, and outside of cars. They have cancelled all Friday after school activities and Saturday classes and activities as well. The Mayor has advised to stay home tonight and to "cook a meal, read a book, or watch TV" and to stay off the streets, away from plows.

Amtrack has just cancelled service and is reducing routes between New York and other Northeast cities. Click here for more information.

The MTA has announced that New York City Transit Subway service is currently operating normally, but customers are advised to travel only if necessary. As the Storm progresses, some subway service may be curtailed or temporarily suspended depending on weather conditions. Weekend planned work on the subway has been canceled, but forecasts for accumulating snow may also require NYC Transit to shift the storage locations to subway cars indoors along underground express tracks. That means some express service will operate on the local tracks, while some lines will end earlier than normal this evening.

Bus service is currently operating on a regular weekday schedule. As the Storm progresses, service will be monitored on a route by route basis and may be curtailed or suspended as weather and road conditions warrant. Paratransit customers may experience additional travel and wait time. Depending on conditions, customers may want to reconsider travel, unless medically necessary.

Long Island Rail Road - The MTA is urging Long Island Rail Road customers who work in New York City to plan to leave for eastbound trips in the early afternoon, before the brunt of the forecast snowstorm begins to hit the region. For the safety of customers, the LIRR will suspend service if snow accumulations reach between 10-13 inches. Crews will be out in force to clear tracks and the third rail used to power electric trains.

"We urge LIRR customers to take advantage of our extra afternoon Eastbound service and leave the city early before the worst of the storm hits," said LIRR President Helena Williams. "This is a serious storm, so it's best to get home early and avoid traveling as conditions worsen." The LIRR is providing 8 extra trains to assist customers heading home early Friday afternoon, in advance of the pending snowstorm. The extra service is between 2:09 PM and 3:48 PM, with extra trains on the Babylon, Port Jefferson, Port Washington and Far Rockaway Branches.

Metro-North Railroad - The predicted severity of the winter storm on Friday, February 8, will require Metro-North to change its scheduled service. These changes are in anticipation of providing the best service to ensure safety of all customers and employees. There will be extra trains during the early afternoon to help customers return home. This schedule will result in reduced service during the PM peak. Train combinations and cancellations are possible at any time, but increase in likelihood as the evening progresses to prevent trains from becoming stranded during the storm. For more information, click here.

Bridges and Tunnels - All nine crossings are open and operating normally at this time. Motorists are asked to allow extra travel time and operate at reduced speeds due to wet roadways. Scheduled lane closures and weekend work at the Queens Midtown Tunnel has been canceled due to the weather. As the storm intensifies, high winds and white out conditions may result in intermittent bridge and ramp closures.

According to the National Weather Service, the strongest winds and heaviest snow will occur Friday evening into Saturday morning and white out conditions are expected to hit much of the area tonight, making travel extremely dangerous.

Shows scheduled to play this evening include ANNIE, THE BOOK OF MORMON, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, CHICAGO, CINDERELLA, THE HEIRESS, JERSEY BOYS, THE LION KING, MAMMA MIA!, MANILOW ON BROADWAY, MARY POPPINS, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, NEWSIES, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, ONCE, THE OTHER PLACE, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, PICNIC, ROCK OF AGES, SPIDER-MAN, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and WICKED.

The National Weather Service's Warning (through Saturday, 1:00 PM) is as follows:

* locations... New York City... southern Westchester County... and coastal portions of northeast New Jersey.

* Hazard types... heavy snow and strong winds.

* Accumulations... snow accumulation of 10 to 14 inches... with localized higher amounts within developing snow bands.

* Winds... north 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* Temperatures... falling into the 20s by this evening.

* Visibilities... one quarter mile or less at times.

* Timing... the strongest winds and heaviest snow will occur this eveninginto Saturday morning.

* Impacts... heavy snow and winds will make for dangerous driving conditions with visibilities near zero in white-out conditions. In addition... some tree limbs will be downed...
causing scattered power outages.

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.