New York braces for winter storm that could cover city in 8 inches of snow

New York is set to get socked by a winter storm that could blanket the city in up to 8 inches of snow starting Thursday afternoon and lasting into Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning has been issued for the city by the NWS. It begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and lasts through 1 p.m. Friday.

Agencies across the state are gearing up for the storm, which will also affect Long Island and parts of Westchester County and New Jersey.

"Don't take it lightly," Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters in a conference call Wednesday. "We've learned the hard way in New York that Mother Nature is nothing to be trifled with."

Cuomo said major roads across the state may be forced to close, including the Long Island Expressway, and he advised commuters to leave the car at home and use mass transit.

The state is facing two separate storms that will hit the northern and southern parts separately, which Cuomo said will stretch resources thin.

Still, the Department of Sanitation said it will be prepared and that it has issued a snow alert that begins at 1 a.m. Thursday.

"In preparation for a snow event, DSNY personnel will begin initial equipment readiness, including loading our 365 salt spreaders, attaching plows when necessary, preparing tire chains and notifying supplementary personnel as needed," the department said.

NYPD chaplain Monsignor Robert Romano, who gave one of four invocations at Mayor Bill de Blasio's inauguration yesterday, prayed for the newly sworn-in officials and added: "Deliver all of us from the impending snowstorm."