Hazardous Travel Advisory Issued Sunday Into Monday For NYC

The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) has issued a hazardous travel advisory for Sunday, January 25, and Monday, January 26. Road conditions may be dangerous due to snow, ice, and reduced visibility, and New Yorkers are strongly encouraged to avoid non-essential travel. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for New York City in effect from 3 a.m. Sunday, January 25 through 6 p.m. Monday, January 26.

A Winter Storm Warning means that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours is expected. Periods of heavy snow will cause travel difficulties and low visibility. New Yorkers are encouraged to avoid travel whenever possible and use public transportation when traveling. Snow accumulations may impact the morning commute on Monday, January 26. 

According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, a significant winter storm is expected to begin late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, with the main heavy snow impacts to last throughout the day on Sunday. Snow accumulation is forecast to be between 8 inches to possibly 14 inches. In addition to the winter storm warning, the NWS also issued a Cold Weather Advisory starting Friday, January 23, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, January 24 at 10 a.m. 

An Arctic air mass will move in starting late Friday, leading to frigid conditions throughout the weekend and into early next week. Temperatures are expected to remain well below freezing through Wednesday, with a potential reinforcing shot of Arctic air later in the week.

The Arctic low temperatures will be around 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius) with wind chills as low as -8 degrees Fahrenheit (-22 degrees Celsius).

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 (Celsius 0) 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 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.