New York City officials have issued snow and travel alerts ahead of an incoming storm that’s expected to dump between 6 and 8 inches of snow.

City officials say Wednesday snowfall rates will increase late Thursday and continue through Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued a citywide Winter Storm Warning from 6 p.m. Thursday through 1 p.m. Friday.

The Office of Emergency Management says the strongest winds and heaviest snow will fall between midnight and 7 a.m. Friday.

Sanitation officials say 364 salt spreaders have been loaded and attached plows and tire chains in anticipation of slick roads Thursday. Transportation officials have suspended alternate side parking rules for Thursday.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says extra personnel will keep bridges, tunnels, airports and trains running.

(AP)