Winter Storm to Bring Snow, Icy Conditions, and Sub-Freezing Temperatures
The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a winter weather alert for Sunday, January 19 through Monday, January 20. A winter storm is expected to bring 2 to 5 inches of snow accumulation beginning Sunday afternoon, with potential for higher amounts depending on the storm's track. As temperatures plummet below freezing Monday, any untreated wet surfaces or melting snow could refreeze, creating hazardous travel conditions.
Even colder temperatures are expected throughout the week, as well as wind chills potentially dropping to the single digits or lower. NYC Emergency Management will issue Cold Weather Alerts as these frigid conditions develop, which will activate enhanced outreach efforts to protect vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
“Our city agencies are ready to answer the call and keep New Yorkers safe as we expect extremely colder temperatures and snowfall over the next several days,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We’re expecting snow Sunday and a cold snap hitting the city tomorrow night through Wednesday. To keep streets safe and clean, city agencies will be implementing snow clearing protocol and reaching out to connect unsheltered New Yorkers to shelters. Thanks to our men and women at the Department of Transportation, Department of Sanitation, and Emergency Management, we’re prepared for what comes our way. Remember to sign up for Notify NYC for weather updates and alerts.”
“This weekend's snowstorm is expected to bring snow and extreme cold to our city,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “We urge New Yorkers to take this storm seriously and prepare for hazardous travel conditions. If you must travel, use mass transit if possible, and allow for extra time. Now is the time to check on your neighbors, especially older adults and those with disabilities. Everyone should monitor the forecast, take steps to stay warm, and subscribe to Notify NYC for the latest updates and alerts. And remember, if you see someone sleeping out in the cold, call 311. Outreach teams will get them assistance and find them somewhere warm to go.”
“We have already fought four snow events this winter, using tens of millions of pounds of salt and hundreds of thousands of gallons of brine to make sure that streets and bike lanes are safe and passable, but this snowfall is predicted to be significantly larger and thousands of Sanitation Workers are ready to work on 12-hour shifts, driving 2500 plows and 700 salt spreaders across 19,000 lane-miles of New York City roadway to make sure that New Yorkers see as little interruption to their lives as possible. We’ll be out there doing what needs to be done so that the rest of the City can enjoy a safe holiday weekend – please do your part by staying off the roads unless absolutely necessary,” said Javier Lojan, Acting Commissioner, New York City Department of Sanitation.
NYC Emergency Management has proactively activated the City's Winter Weather Emergency Plan in response to the forecasted conditions. This includes conducting coordination calls with the National Weather Service and city and state agencies and utility partners, and bolstering staffing.
As part of the Winter Weather Emergency Plan, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Snow Alert and is fully prepared with a fleet of more than 700 spreaders. During a Snow Alert, the Department collaborates closely with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to implement snow clearing protocols, adhering to the detailed snow plans established by each agency. Based on the anticipated weather, more than 20 million pounds of salt could potentially be deployed to manage the snow and ice conditions effectively. Collection trucks have been fitted with plows that will hit the streets when accumulation reaches two inches. DSNY will be tracking operations via its new Bladerunner 2.0 platform, allowing real-time adjustments as conditions require. Every street is on a route and, for the first time, every route can be dispatched at the same time as necessary.
Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115.
With temperatures forecast to drop below freezing, the Department of Social Services (DSS) will issue Code Blue Weather Alerts to protect vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. This alert is activated whenever the temperature or wind chill is predicted to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m., triggering enhanced outreach efforts to encourage those living on the streets to seek shelter. During a Code Blue, highly trained outreach teams work tirelessly to connect unsheltered New Yorkers with critical resources, including shelters, drop-in centers, safe havens, and stabilization beds.
Teams proactively and repeatedly engage individuals on their Code Blue Priority Lists, offering support, transportation to shelter, and ensuring their safety during the extreme cold. An Enhanced Code Blue is declared when even more dangerous conditions are present, such as significant precipitation, heavy snow accumulation, prolonged periods of frigid temperatures, dangerously low wind chills, high winds, or ice storms. During an Enhanced Code Blue, outreach teams increase the frequency of contact with vulnerable individuals to ensure their safety and well-being.
NYCEM offers New Yorkers tips on staying safe before, during, and after winter storms at on.nyc.gov/winterweather:
· Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on social media.
· If you must go outdoors, dress in warm, dry clothing and cover exposed skin, especially your fingertips, earlobes, and nose. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves to retain body heat. Shivering is an early warning sign that your body is losing heat—take it as a cue to return indoors. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s guidance before engaging in strenuous activity, as cold weather places extra strain on the heart. Remember, your body is already working hard to stay warm, so avoid overexertion.
· Prolonged exposure to cold can lead to serious health issues, including hypothermia, frostbite, and worsening of chronic heart and lung conditions. Hypothermia occurs when body temperature drops dangerously low, with early signs such as shivering, dizziness, and trouble speaking, progressing to confusion and shallow breathing. Frostbite affects extremities like fingers, toes, and the face, starting with redness and pain before leading to numbness and pale, waxy skin. If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, call 911 immediately. While waiting for help, move the person to a warm place, remove damp clothing, and cover them with blankets.
· Outdoor workers, such as those in construction and utilities, face risks from cold-related health impacts. Employers should implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on recognizing cold-related disorders, prevention strategies, and proper treatment. Ensuring workplace safety during winter conditions helps protect employees from the dangers of prolonged exposure to cold weather.
· Allow for extra travel time and expect delays with little to no notice. Use public transportation whenever possible.
· If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Always have an emergency kit in your car. It should include items like blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a snow shovel.
· Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.
· For fire safety, ensure every room has a working smoke alarm, test them monthly, and change batteries twice a year. Use only indoor-approved portable heaters, keeping combustible materials like furniture and drapes at least three feet away. Never drape clothes over heaters or leave them running unattended, especially around children. Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet—never use extension cords or power strips—and avoid using heaters with damaged cords. Turn off heating devices when not in use to reduce fire risks.
· To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, ensure all fuel-burning appliances—such as furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and dryers—are properly vented and in good working condition. If unsure, consult a professional for inspection and repairs. Building owners must install approved carbon monoxide detectors, while occupants are responsible for maintaining them. If you have a fireplace, keep the chimney clean and free of debris. Never use gas stoves, ovens, charcoal grills, kerosene, propane, or oil-burning heaters to heat your home—kerosene and propane space heaters are illegal in NYC. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms, including headache, nausea, dizziness, trouble breathing, and loss of consciousness, can be life-threatening, with severe cases leading to permanent injury or death.
· If you require assistance for daily activities, make arrangements in advance for support during the expected weather, ensuring caregivers are aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.
· Charge your phones and keep a flashlight and batteries handy. If you lose power and have a disability and/or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.
· To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison's website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660)
New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. NotifyNYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. To learn more about the NotifyNYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the NotifyNYC website, call 311, or download the free NotifyNYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs.
