New York City Braces For Biggest Snowstorm In Years

New York City and the broader Tri-State area are bracing for what forecasters and officials are calling the most significant snowstorm in years, set to arrive on Sunday, January 25, 2026. With a Winter Storm Warning and Cold Weather Advisory in effect, city agencies, schools, and residents have swung into action, preparing for heavy snow, dangerous ice, and a blast of frigid air that will linger well into the following week.

According to WABC, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for New York City and the surrounding region, including northwestern New Jersey, the Hudson Valley, and eastern Pennsylvania. These areas could see snowfall totals reaching up to 18 inches, while New York City, Long Island, and much of New Jersey are forecasted to receive between 8 and 12 inches. Coastal and southern areas, such as southeastern Monmouth County and Ocean County, may see slightly less, with totals between 4 and 12 inches due to early mixing with sleet. The storm is expected to begin Sunday morning, intensifying around midday, and continuing with lighter snow into Monday.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the city early Saturday, emphasizing the scale and seriousness of the storm. "This is the calm before the storm. Either late tomorrow evening or early Sunday morning, we are going to see snow start to begin to fall across our city. It will fall and fall and then fall some more. And the forecasts don't always get it right, but what is being predicted right now, whether it's a foot of snow or even a little bit more, would be one of the biggest snowfalls that our city has seen in years. We haven't seen a foot of snowfall in quick succession since nearly five years ago," he said, according to official transcripts.

The mayor highlighted the extensive preparations underway. The Department of Sanitation began brining highways and major roadways at 6 a.m. Saturday, a process that makes it harder for snow to stick and for ice to form. Starting Sunday evening, more than 2,000 sanitation workers will embark on 12-hour shifts, deploying 700 salt spreaders and, once two inches of snow accumulate, activating 2,200 plows across the city. The operation, described by Mamdani as the nation’s largest snow-fighting effort, will be monitored in real-time using DSNY's BladeRunner 2.0 system to ensure every neighborhood receives timely service.

New York City has also enacted a Code Blue since Friday night, a measure designed to protect the city’s most vulnerable residents. Homeless outreach teams are canvassing all five boroughs, connecting people with shelter and bypassing standard intake procedures to expedite the process. "No one is going to be denied across the city," Mamdani assured, underscoring the city’s commitment to safeguarding everyone during the extreme weather.

The storm’s impact will be felt beyond snow accumulation. As NBC New York reports, the forecast hinges on the track of the low-pressure system and the resulting temperature profile. Sleet and freezing rain could mix in after the initial snowfall, raising concerns about hazardous travel conditions. The Northeast is expected to be hit hardest on Sunday afternoon and evening, with residual light snow lingering into Monday. Extreme cold is predicted to persist for at least a week after the storm passes, prompting additional warnings from city officials.

Travel disruptions are all but guaranteed. The mayor issued a hazardous travel advisory for Sunday and Monday, urging New Yorkers to stock up on groceries and essentials by Saturday and to stay indoors once the snow begins. "Once the snow begins to fall, I want to encourage New Yorkers to do something that we don't often have the luxury of doing, which is to take a breath and stay home. Stay indoors, stay off the roads, watch the snow come down," Mamdani advised. City agencies are also preparing for restricted traffic and emergency declarations if conditions warrant, with the NYPD, FDNY, and Parks Department all on standby to assist as needed.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is also taking extensive precautions. CEO Janno Lieber confirmed that the MTA has pre-positioned equipment and personnel, including snow-fighting trains, de-icing systems, and tow trucks. With 220 miles of outdoor subway lines and a vast bus network, the MTA will deploy 35 snow-fighting vehicles and remove articulated buses from service for safety. Over 9,000 tons of roadway deicer and more than 100 pieces of equipment are ready for use on bridges and tunnels. "The bottom line, New Yorkers, is this [is] not our first rodeo at the MTA. We have handled big storms. New Yorkers have handled big storms, and we're ready to do this again this weekend," Lieber stated.

For parents and students, the looming storm brings uncertainty about school schedules. Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels of New York City Public Schools confirmed that a final decision on whether schools will open or pivot to remote learning on Monday will be announced by noon on Sunday. PSAL activities and other Sunday permits are already canceled. Samuels assured families that the city has learned from past remote learning challenges and has stress-tested the system to handle a million students logging in simultaneously. "We now have the capacity of having a million students logging at the same time within 60 seconds," Samuels explained, adding that simulations and staggered schedules are in place to ensure a smooth transition if remote learning is necessary.

Mayor Mamdani echoed the importance of preparation: "We are preparing for a range of potential snowfall, right? We're seeing the estimates now around eight to nine inches, let's say, at the very least. It [could] climb up to potentially about a foot, if not a little bit more. What heartens me, frankly, is that in the work and in the meetings that I've been having with the incredible leadership that we have here, is the knowledge of what the hardworking men and women of City government are already doing." He noted that the city has procured 700 million pounds of salt in advance and that agencies are working around the clock.

Communication is a central pillar of the city’s response. Residents are encouraged to sign up for NotifyNYC and MTA alert systems for real-time updates. "We are going to tell you at every instance, when we have new information about the storm, what it is," Mamdani promised, emphasizing transparency and the importance of keeping New Yorkers informed.

As the city braces for the weekend, officials are urging everyone to do their part—stay home, stay safe, and let the city’s well-rehearsed storm response teams do their work. The storm may be the biggest in a decade, but New York is determined to show, once again, that it’s ready for whatever winter brings.