The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Sunday, January 31, 2021, beginning at 07:00 p.m.
Based on current forecasts, the Department expects snowfall beginning Sunday evening and continuing in to Tuesday morning. Total accumulations in the forecast of up to 18 inches are possible at this time. All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website here or by calling 311.
In a Snow Alert, the Department coordinates with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocol in accordance with each agency’s written snow plan. All relevant city agencies have been notified of the snow alert.
Operations Update
The Department is expecting significant snowfall, and its workers and equipment are prepared. Salt spreaders are filled and ready to go and will start pretreating roadways ahead of the snowfall this afternoon. Additionally, the Department’s collection trucks have been turned into snow plows, ready to plow once two inches of snow has fallen. The Department has more than 2,000 total vehicles equipped with plows, including salt spreaders. Further, the Department used its “brine trucks” to apply liquid salt to some roadways and bike lanes starting Saturday evening. The brine, spread only before precipitation begins on dry streets, forms a barrier on the streets and helps keep snow and ice from accumulating.
Trash/Recycling Collection
The Sanitation Workers who collect trash and recycling are the same Sanitation Workers who plow and salt the streets, therefore trash and recycling collection will be delayed during and after snow operations. While residents may put material out at the curb following their normal schedule, snow operations take priority and delays are to be expected.
Alternate Side Parking
In order to facilitate roadway clearing, Alternate Side Parking regulations will be suspended Monday, February 01, 2021 and Tuesday, February 02, 2021. Meters will be in effect.
Guidance for Open Restaurants
Open Restaurants roadway dining is SUSPENDED all day Monday, February 1. Additionally, restaurants should remove or secure furniture, and remove electric heaters. Remove the tops of structures if possible or regularly clear snow off of structures to prevent damage. The City will notify restaurants when they may reopen roadway seating for outdoor dining. Based on the current forecast, the City estimates that roadway dining may resume Tuesday, but this may change based on actual accumulations and roadway conditions.
Restaurant owners may find additional information to prepare their spaces for snow conditions here.
Protected Bike Lanes
The Department used its “brine trucks” to apply liquid salt to some roadways and bike lanes starting Saturday evening. The brine forms a barrier on the streets and helps keep snow and ice from accumulating.
The City takes the safe passage of our bicycle facilities seriously, especially for the essential workers who need to be out in any weather. However, the Department’s initial focus during an active snow event is to keep our roadways clear for emergency vehicles to ensure New Yorkers never lose access to critical medical, fire and police services. Plowing and salting of bike facilities will begin after the emergency roadway work is underway. Protected bike lanes on main avenues will be addressed first after the end of snowfall, and PBLs on other streets will be addressed within 24-72 hours.
Snow Clearing Information
As a reminder, property owners, including restaurants with outdoor dining structures, may NOT push snow into the street, including bike lanes. This impedes snow clearing operations and is illegal. Snow may be moved against the building, to the curb line, or areas on private property. Sidewalks should be passable for all pedestrians, including a minimum 4-foot clear path, where possible.
New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can sign up to receive phone calls, text messages, and emails alerts about severe weather events and emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, pleas call 311, visit nyc.gov or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
Find information on Sanitation snow operations along with residents’ responsibilities during and after snow at nyc.gov/snow.
About the New York City Department of Sanitation
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) keeps New York City healthy, safe and clean by collecting, recycling and disposing of waste, cleaning streets and vacant lots, and clearing snow and ice. The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms and 705 salt spreaders. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.
