New York City: Snow plows lined up across sanitation yards Sunday afternoon as city officials moved into full storm mode, warning residents to prepare for dangerous conditions as a rare blizzard warning blankets the region.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that all New York City public school students will have a full snow day Monday, with no in person or remote classes scheduled. The decision came as forecasts pointed to heavy snowfall and strong winds expected to intensify overnight.
“We are telling New Yorkers to stay safe, stay inside, stay warm,” Mamdani said while outlining the city’s storm preparations.
City activates emergency measures
The National Weather Service has placed New York City under its first blizzard warning in nearly ten years, signaling the potential for whiteout conditions, power disruptions, and severely limited travel visibility.
Officials have already activated the city’s Winter Weather Emergency Plan. A Code Blue alert is in effect, which ensures emergency shelters remain open for vulnerable residents as temperatures drop below freezing.
City leaders said 22 warming buses will be deployed across the five boroughs, and residents can call 311 to locate nearby warming centers.
Sanitation crews prepare for heavy snow
The Department of Sanitation has shifted to 12 hour operations, deploying more than 2,600 workers per shift. More than 1,000 emergency shovelers are also scheduled to begin overnight work as snowfall intensifies.
According to city officials, plows will begin full operations once accumulation reaches two inches. Property owners remain responsible for clearing sidewalks, though the city has expanded geocoded tracking at bus stops, crosswalks, and pedestrian ramps.
Why this storm matters now
Forecasters expect the heaviest snow and strongest winds to hit Sunday night into Monday, raising concerns about the morning commute and potential scattered power outages. It marks the most serious winter weather threat for the city so far this season.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and monitor official updates as conditions evolve.
