Under the leadership of New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York City agencies are fully mobilized and coordinating a citywide response ahead of a potentially historic winter snowstorm and prolonged period of extreme cold forecast to begin Sunday, January 25, 2026.
NYC Emergency Management issued a hazardous travel advisory for Sunday and Monday following the Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service. Forecasts call for heavy snow, dangerous travel conditions and temperatures colder than any sustained period the city had experienced in eight years. The Warning is in effect for Sunday, January 24, 2026, from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“As the storm approaches, our city is ready. My administration is fully mobilized, with agencies working hand in hand around the clock — from salting and plowing our streets to staying in constant communication with one another and with the public,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Our mission is straightforward: keep New Yorkers safe. I am deeply grateful to the city workers who will be out in the cold and snow through the night and into tomorrow, showing up for this city when it matters most.”
Mamdani urged New Yorkers to stay informed by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692, avoiding unnecessary travel, and remaining home where possible.
“We will get through this storm the way we always do – by looking out for one another,” he said.
Multiple agencies ― including the FDNY, NYPD, Parks Department, Department of Transportation, the New York City Housing Authority, and NYC Emergency Management― are prepared to respond to storm impacts.
NYC Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will activate in person at 7 a.m. Sunday, bringing together leadership from city agencies, utilities and transportation partners to coordinate the City’s response in real time.
The National Weather Service forecasts 10-12 inches of snow, with localized totals up to 14 inches. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour expected Sunday afternoon and evening, with a possible transition to sleet and freezing rain Sunday evening. Below-freezing temperatures are expected to persist throughout the week, creating ongoing hazardous conditions.
Warming Centers
As dangerously cold temperatures move through New York, the city has opened warming centers in all five boroughs to provide safe, heated indoor spaces for New Yorkers in need. Centers will be open through at least Monday evening at the following locations; all located high schools scheduled to be closed Monday for a scheduled professional learning day:
Bronx
- Gompers Campus, 455 Southern Boulevard;
- DeWitt Clinton Campus, 100 West Mosholu Parkway.
Manhattan
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, 120 W. 46th Street;
- Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics Campus, 260 Pleasant Avenue.
Brooklyn
- Midwood High School, 2839 Bedford Avenue;
- Urban Assembly for Law and Justice, 283 Adams Street.
Queens
- Jamaica Campus, 167-01 Gothic Drive;
- Long Island City High School, 14-30 Broadway.
Staten Island
- Curtis High School, 105 Hamilton Avenue;
- New Dorp High School, 465 New Dorp Lane.
The City’s Response: Already Underway and Continuing Around the Clock
The Department of Sanitation began pre-salting streets, highways and bike lanes Friday and will deploy approximately 2,000 workers on 12-hour shifts. Plowing operations will begin once snow accumulation reaches 2 inches with 700 salt spreaders and 2,200 plows deployed citywide. Operations will be monitored in real time to ensure equitable service across all neighborhoods.
DOT crews will staff East River bridges, Parks Department teams will assist with snow removal and downed trees, and NYPD and FDNY will maintain full emergency response capability. Nonessential city work has been canceled Sunday to focus on storm response.
The Department of Homeless Services has relaxed intake procedures and is conducting intensified outreach across all five boroughs. Outreach teams are working around the clock to connect homeless New Yorkers with shelter, warming centers and lifesaving services. New Yorkers are urged to call 311 if they see anyone in need of assistance.
Public School Athletic League activities, special education Weekend Academy, and other programming in school buildings will be closed on Sunday.
Transportation and Utility Partners Coordinating Closely
The MTA will operate a regular Sunday subway and bus schedule with service adjustments as conditions require. LIRR and Metro-North will operate reduced schedules Sunday and Monday. Travelers should check MTA channels for real-time updates.
Air travelers should expect significant disruptions, with hundreds of flight cancellations anticipated.
NYC Ferry expects an early shutdown Sunday due to whiteout conditions, while Staten Island Ferry service will continue as long as visibility safely allows.
Con Edison and National Grid have mobilized crews and secured mutual aid to respond quickly to outages, with no major impacts anticipated at this time.
Safety Tips
- Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including NotifyNYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on social media.
- Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation.
- If you must drive, use extra caution. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.
- Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
- Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they stop less quickly than other vehicles.
- Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.
- Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
- Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
- Outdoor workers, such as those in construction and utilities, face risks from cold-related health impacts. Employers should implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on recognizing cold-related disorders, prevention strategies, and proper treatment.
- Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.
City Agency & Partner Actions
Department of Buildings
- DOB is reminding all builders, contractors, crane operators, and property owners to secure their construction sites, buildings, and equipment, keep their sites clear of ice and snow, and to follow all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) prescribed regulations and recommendations for helping ensure worker safety.
- DOB will be performing random spot-check inspections of construction sites around the city. If sites are not secured, the department will take immediate enforcement action — issuing violations and Stop Work Orders, where necessary.
- Sign up for DOB Weather Advisories to learn more about securing your buildings and construction sites during periods of severe weather.
Department of Citywide Administrative Services
- DCAS’ Fleet team remains on call 24/7 as part of the City’s Tow Truck Task Force to respond to any city vehicle needs.
- DCAS has provided agencies with flexibility and discretion around scheduling through Tuesday, supported by ongoing health and safety communications to Agency Personnel Officers and Citywide Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) Officers.
- DCAS Facilities, Maintenance, and Construction has staff, equipment, and supplies deployed for snow removal and de-icing, prioritizing PSACs (911 call centers and emergency supplies), NYCEM facilities, courthouses, and emergency coordination hubs citywide.
- DCAS Procurement stands ready to activate emergency contracts, and the DCAS Storehouse has extended hours to support freeze coverage, weekend delivery of rock salt and calcium, and rapid deployment of emergency resources as needed.
ConEdison
- ConEd has mobilized crews across New York City and Westchester County ahead of the approaching winter storm.
- The company urges the public to prioritize safety by staying clear of downed wires, which may be live, and reporting them immediately to ConEdison or by calling 911.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
