NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani warns "whiteout or near-blizzard" conditions likely in winter storm
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told New Yorkers to prepare for dangerous winter weather, from heavy snow to frigid temperatures, as the city braces for what could be its biggest snowstorm in five years.
Mamdani held a news conference Saturday at the Spring Street Salt Shed in Manhattan, with New York under a state of emergency and the forecast calling for 8-12 inches of snow starting early Sunday.
"Make no mistake, New Yorkers, the full power of this city's enormous resources are prepared, poised, and ready to be deployed," Mamdani said. "Every agency is working in lockstep with the other. We are thoroughly equipped and we are ready for whatever winter weather comes this Sunday. Make no mistake, we are taking every precaution and we are prepared for every possible amount of snow."
Later Saturday, the mayor took to social media to further explain the city's snow response plan.
Heavy snow expected Sunday morning
The city has more than 700 salt spreaders and once there are 2 inches of snow on the ground, which is expected before midday Sunday, the Department of Sanitation will deploy its fleet of 2,300 plows across 19,000 miles of roadway. Mamdani is asking the public to stay home and hunker down.
"Snow will fall at its heaviest rate in the late morning of tomorrow and early afternoon. Visibility will be very low, winds will be gusting at speeds of up to 35 mph. New Yorkers can expect whiteout or near-blizzard conditions," Mamdani said, adding, "On Sunday and Monday, a hazardous travel advisory will be in effect. Please, if you can avoid it, do not drive, do not travel, do not do anything that could potentially place you or your loved ones in danger."
New Yorkers can monitor DSNY's progress in real time with the PlowNYC online tracker tool.
City agencies staffing up
Mamdani said other city agencies, from NYCHA to Parks to Public Schools, have been staffing up and preparing for the snow and frigid weather for days.
"We have monitored 311 reports from past snowstorms to gather information on where city services were previously inadequately provided, areas where not enough salt was laid, for example, areas that were overlooked. And we are now going to be addressing those shortcomings in advance of the storm," Mamdani said.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul activated the National Guard to assist New York City in its snowstorm response when she declared the state of emergency. Hochul said she was coordinating with the mayor.
Code Blue in effect
Mamdani also warned the storm will bring "a prolonged period of frigid temperatures that will last through the next week. Frankly, it will be colder than any sustained period New York has experienced in about eight years."
A Code Blue has been in effect since Thursday and will continue, the mayor said.
"With Homeless Services outreach workers canvassing the five boroughs and connecting homeless New Yorkers with shelter, no one will be denied. All hospitals, all Department of Homeless Services drop-in centers and all DHS shelters have a fully open door policy," he said. "Please call 311 if you or someone you need requires access to warmth."
Will NYC students have a snow day?
The mayor previously said public school students will not have a snow day Monday. A decision on whether to go with in-person or remote classes will be made by Sunday at noon.
"Teachers and public school staff have made sure that students have the devices they will need to learn from should classes be held remotely on Monday, and school staff also did additional pressure testing last night, and will continue over the weekend, to ensure that, if needed, virtual learning can operate seamlessly," Mamdani said.
"We are weighing the safety of everyone involved. We want to make sure that whatever decision we make is one where students, parents, educators will be safe," he added.
Closings and cancellations in NYC
As part of the state of emergency declared by the governor on Friday, early voting for Feb. 3 special elections in New York City will be suspended on Sunday and Monday. The state is working with the city Board of Elections to extend hours through the remainder of the early voting period to account for the suspended hours.
In addition, several city locations will be closed and some events have been canceled ahead of the storm.
The Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium will all be closed on Sunday, as will the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens.
The Rangers announced their Alumni Classic, scheduled for noon at Madison Square Garden, has has been canceled. The team's website says refunds will be issued to the original form of payment.
Citi Bike said starting at noon Sunday, all bikes will be temporarily locked and unavailable.
Two Broadway shows have announced cancellations for Sunday: "Aladdin" and "The Lion King" canceled their scheduled matinee and evening performances. More information regarding refunds for ticketholders can be found on their websites.
