Mayor de Blasio today updated New Yorkers on the current winter storm, and reminded individuals to refrain from travel as the storm continues to move through the City. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for New York City until 1 a.m. Friday. The system has brought heavy snow that has created hazardous travel conditions. Currently, 4 to 8 inches of snow has fallen in parts of the City. The latest forecast anticipates approximately 8 to 12 inches of snow accumulation, but locally higher amounts are possible. Gusty winds are expected to increase during the day, with sustained winds 30 mph to 45 mph, and gusts up to 50 mph.
“We are currently experiencing blizzard-like conditions here in the City. I want to emphasize to all New Yorkers, stay inside if you can. Don’t go out if you don’t have to. Our Sanitation Department is out in full force, but we need people to stay off of the roads so that our crews can do their jobs,” said Mayor de Blasio.
Extreme Cold This Weekend
According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, temperatures Thursday night are forecast to be around 10 degrees, with wind chill values as low as minus 10 degrees. Temperatures Friday are forecast to be in the teens with wind chill values between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees. Lows Friday night are around 5 degrees, with wind chill values around minus 10. Temperatures Saturday are forecast to be around 10 degrees, with wind chill values around minus 5 degrees. Lows Saturday are close to zero, with wind chill values at minus ten degrees. Temperatures Sunday remain below freezing, with highs and lows in the teens. Temperatures are forecast to return above freezing on Monday.
“The prolonged cold temperatures are extremely dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations. We advise New Yorkers to stay indoors as much as possible. Help others to stay safe by checking on elderly family members, neighbors, and people with increased health risks,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito.
Travel
Motorists are advised to stay off the roads. If you must travel allow for extra time, use mass transportation whenever possible, and anticipate delays. New Yorkers are also urged to exercise caution and minimize walking outdoors during the worst of the storm.
Most senior centers are closed today. Senior center members are asked to call their local centers for any information regarding hours of operation. New Yorkers are asked to check on their neighbors, friends, and relatives — especially the elderly and those with disabilities and access and functional needs.
Airports
Due to the inclement weather, flight operations are currently suspended at both John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. Newark airport is experiencing delays for both arrivals and departures. Travelers are asked to check with their local carriers for further information.
Schools
All New York City public schools are closed Thursday, January 4, 2018. After-school programs, adult education, YABC programs, and PSAL activities are also cancelled. Extended use permits for DOE buildings are also cancelled.
DOE central and field offices will remain open. Information for staff can be found on the Staff Emergency Page.
New York City district schools will be open, Friday, January 5, 2018, however, all yellow bus field trips will be cancelled.
Snow Removal
The Department of Sanitation has two 12-hour shifts of 2,400 workers on duty, with more than 1,500 plows and another 693 salt spreaders on the roadways.
City agencies including DEP, DOT, and Parks have also dedicated equipment for snow clearing operations. Plowing progress can be followed via PlowNYC.
DSNY has 270,000 tons of salt available for the season.
DOT’s Bridges Division has activated East River Bridges crews to manage snow removal.
DOT’s Arterial, Parking and Citywide Concrete Units are clearing pedestrian overpasses, municipal parking lots and step streets.
DOT’s Ferry Division is clearing walkways at the Ferry terminal.
Ferry and Citi Bike Service
SI Ferry is operating on a modified schedule.
NYC Ferry Service is suspended until further notice.
Rockaway Ferry Service has been suspended until further notice.
Seastreak Ferry Service has been suspended until further notice.
Citi Bike service is operating as normal.
MTA Buses/Subways
MTA Buses and Subways are operating with minor delays. Please check mta.info for the latest information.
MetroNorth and LIRR are experiencing minor delays.
Parks
NYC Parks asks park patrons to refrain from walking on waterbodies (frozen or partially), and asks that they be careful when walking near them, as edges can become obscured during snowfall. For safety, signage and ice ladder stations are posted around all waterbodies in City parks.
Parking and Trash Collection
Alternate Side Parking is suspended Thursday, January 4 through Saturday, January 6 to facilitate snow removal operations. Parking meters remain in effect throughout the City.
Garbage/recycling/organics collections are suspended to facilitate snow removal.
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3 Responses
we should be very grateful to those who cause global warming. Imagine how much worse it would be if there was not global warming!!!!
AS I understand it global warming theory predicts there will be more snow and storms, since when the average atmospheric temperature goes up by a few degrees the atmosphere absorbs a lot more moisture and in the winter it comes down as more snow. Global warming doesn’t mean that it will suddenly get so warm that there’s no more snow — that would be a major global cataclysm since ocean levels would rise and flood a lot of the world, R’l.
@por originally they said snow will become a lot less commen and slowly vanish. Once they saw that snow storms are becoming more commen so they blamed that on global warming. Basically every single weather event is blamed on global warming.