Shortly after returning to NYC following a trip, I am faced with our very first winter snow storm of the 2012 season. Thankfully it is finally beginning to wind down, although it was snowing in parts of City Island late this afternoon.

The storm has left behind several inches of snow. Residents should expect a total of 3-6 inches of accumulations by the early evening hours.

By late this afternoon, that snow turned into a wintry mix, with sleet and ice pellets making for dangerous driving conditions.

Although City Island avenue was plowed hours ago, the side streets on the island are just beginning to be cleaned by city trucks. NYC's Department of Sanitation reports many snow plows clearing our roads, and 40,000 pounds of salt are being deployed.

So far, we've got a couple of inches of snow on the ground, but this accumulation is expected to increase very quickly since the snow is sticking to the ground.

Vehicles on and around the area, including 95 are moving in these snowy conditions. Officials are asking drivers to slow down as a precaution in this wintry storm.

To watch the snow fall live from City Island New York.

http://24.186.190.224:1024/img/main.cgi?next_file=main.htm

The head of the United Nations agency with a mandate to defend freedom of expression and press freedom today condemned the murder of a Thai newspaper owner, editor and political organizer and called for an investigation into his killing.

Wisut Tangwitthayaporn was shot by a gunman on a motorcycle while driving with his wife on a major street in the resort island of Phuket on 12 January. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died of his wounds. His wife was unharmed.

Most transit systems are fine, except the 29 City Island bus broke down at the circle this morning, forcing many commuters to arrive late for their destinations. Roadways are slippery, hazardous and treacherous. Traffic accidents have been reported all over the place. Expect delays.

Snow fall seems to be steady and moderate. Some schools are closed, or have delayed their opening, so check before you make any unnecessary travels.

ITALIAN CRUISE SHIPWRECKED. 11 Dead, 21 Missing.

CHILD EATEN BY CROCODILE. Parent Watches.

SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY. Who's On Top?

SNOWFALL. Wet and Slippery Surfaces.

SUPERBOWL> Classic Contests.

A HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM MOVES TO OUR EAST TONIGHT...ALLOWING WEAK LOW PRESSURE TO APPROACH FROM THE TENNESSEE VALLEY. THE LOW WILL REACH THE MID ATLANTIC REGION SATURDAY MORNING. IT WILL PASS SOUTH OF LONG ISLAND SATURDAY AFTERNOON. HIGH PRESSURE STARTS TO BUILD IN SATURDAY NIGHT. HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE AREA ON SUNDAY WILL SLIDE OFFSHORE AND ALLOW FOR A SLOW MOVING FRONT TO APPROACH THEN PASS THE REGION DURING THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK. FAIR WEATHER DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK WILL BE FOLLOWED BY UNSETTLED WEATHER FOR FRIDAY.

http://radar.weather.gov

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-cbOl96RFM&feature=related

Etta James enjoyed a versatile and emotionally direct voice, which could sing blues as well as love songs. Her signature hit, “At Last,” died this morning in Riverside, California. She was reportedly suffering from complications of leukemia. . She was 73.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioQQ0nQ43HY