A frigid cold settled across the five boroughs overnight, chilling out New York City ahead of a massive winter snowstorm forecast to be one of the most brutal to strike the region in years.
Saturday started off with subfreezing temperatures, but meteorologists warn there’s little reprieve in sight, with highs expected to hover in the teens for most of the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
“I have been briefed on the Record Cold Wave and Historic Winter Storm that will be hitting much of the United States this weekend,” President Trump wrote in a post on X.
“The Trump Administration is coordinating with State and Local Officials,” he continued. “FEMA is fully prepared to respond. Stay Safe and Stay Warm!”
Flakes could begin to fall in the city as early as late Saturday night. But significant snowfall won’t start until the early hours of Sunday morning, and it’s expected to continue well into the night.
It’s predicted to be at its heaviest earlier in the day, coming down as quickly as 2 inches an hour. This will likely result in hazardous travel conditions, including low visibility, said officials with New York City Emergency Management, urging residents to take public transit when avoiding travel is not possible.
By the time the snow tapers off Monday morning, New Yorkers could be left with anywhere between 10 and 14 inches of the white stuff.
The last time Central Park saw more than a foot of snow was in early February 2021, when it was blanketed in more than 17 inches.
“We’re facing a major winter storm that could bring some of the heaviest snowfall New York City has seen in years, along with frigid temperatures and high winds,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “City agencies are fully mobilized — our streets are being treated, our plow fleet is prepared, and outreach teams are working around the clock to ensure New Yorkers can stay safe and homeless New Yorkers can access shelter.”
New York City residents are just some of the millions of Americans under winter storm warnings, with residents from New Mexico to New England bracing for the brutal winter weather. The National Weather Service warned of widespread heavy snow and a band of ice stretching from east Texas to North Carolina.
In preparation, more than 3,400 flights had already been canceled by Saturday morning, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. Upwards of 6,200 flights have been called off for Sunday, including more than 1,700 going into or out of New York City’s three major airports.
With News Wire Services
