The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a winter weather alert for Sunday, January 19, through Monday, January 20. A winter storm is forecasted to bring 2 to 5 inches of snow starting Sunday afternoon, with the potential for higher accumulations depending on the storm’s trajectory. As temperatures drop below freezing on Monday, melting snow and untreated wet surfaces could refreeze, creating hazardous travel conditions, the department warned.
The National Weather Service New York has warned of 2 to 5 inches of snowfall, with the highest amounts expected in the NYC metro area, leading to slippery travel and snow-covered roads from Sunday afternoon into Sunday night.
Snow may initially begin as rain or a mix of rain and snow across eastern Long Island and southeast Connecticut on Sunday afternoon, with portions of eastern Long Island potentially remaining mostly rain.
At times, peak snowfall rates could reach ½ to 1 inch per hour, especially near the NYC metro area, southwestern coastal Connecticut, and southern Westchester.
Temperatures will continue to fall throughout the week, with wind chills potentially reaching single digits or lower. NYC Emergency Management will issue Cold Weather Alerts as necessary, activating outreach efforts to assist vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.
“Our agencies are fully prepared to keep New Yorkers safe as we anticipate snowfall and extreme cold in the coming days,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “With snow expected on Sunday and a cold snap lasting through Wednesday, city agencies will implement snow-clearing measures and conduct outreach to connect unsheltered New Yorkers with shelter options. I encourage everyone to sign up for Notify NYC to receive updates.”
Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol urged residents to take precautions. “This storm will bring hazardous travel conditions. If you must travel, use mass transit when possible and allow extra time. Please check on elderly neighbors and those with disabilities. Monitor the forecast and take steps to stay warm. If you see someone sleeping in the cold, call 311 to get them assistance.”
Acting Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan assured residents that the department is prepared. “We have battled four snow events this winter, using millions of pounds of salt and brine to keep roads safe. For this storm, thousands of sanitation workers will operate on 12-hour shifts, deploying 2,500 plows and 700 salt spreaders across 19,000 lane-miles of city roads.” He urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Snow Alert and will coordinate with Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to execute snow-clearing protocols. More than 20 million pounds of salt may be deployed. Collection trucks equipped with plows will begin clearing streets once accumulation reaches two inches. The DSNY will track operations using its Bladerunner 2.0 platform for real-time adjustments.
Residential building owners must maintain indoor temperatures of at least 68°F when outdoor temperatures fall below 55°F during the day and 62°F overnight. Tenants without adequate heat should first notify their building owner or superintendent. If issues persist, complaints can be filed via 311.
The Department of Social Services (DSS) will issue Code Blue Weather Alerts when temperatures drop to 32°F or lower, triggering enhanced outreach to unsheltered individuals. Outreach teams will provide shelter, transportation, and emergency resources. An Enhanced Code Blue will be activated during severe conditions, such as heavy snowfall and dangerously low wind chills.