New York City is preparing for a light snowfall Sunday night that could bring up to 2 inches of accumulation to parts of the metropolitan area, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service forecast approximately 1 inch of snow across the city, with some areas potentially receiving up to 2 inches. Snow is expected to begin between 7 and 8 p.m. Sunday and continue overnight into early Monday morning.
City officials said the heaviest snowfall will likely occur between midnight and 5 a.m., with precipitation ending by around 8 a.m. Monday.
New York City Emergency Management issued a Weather Alert effective Sunday night through Monday morning in response to the forecast.
“We know how challenging the weather has been over the past several weeks for New Yorkers,” Acting NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell said in a statement. “Thankfully, this snow is not expected to be severe, but it’s still important to plan ahead and use caution on untreated roads and sidewalks. City agencies are monitoring conditions and will be ready to respond to any impacts.”
Temperatures will drop into the upper 20s and low 30s overnight, creating conditions where slush and snow could stick to roads and create slick surfaces for the Monday morning commute, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to climb into the low 40s on Monday, which should help with gradual melting.
The Department of Sanitation activated a Winter Operations Advisory beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday and reported that more than 700 salt spreaders, including specialized units for bike lanes, were loaded and ready for deployment. The agency said it maintains hundreds of millions of pounds of salt and will monitor conditions overnight from its operations center.
The predicted snowfall amounts are significantly lower than the late January storm that covered the city and was followed by nine days of severe cold weather. During that period, at least 18 people were found dead outdoors, with additional hypothermia-related deaths later reported in private homes, according to city officials.
Sanitation officials advised drivers to avoid the roads during active snowfall when possible and to drive slowly and carefully if travel is necessary.
Emergency Management officials recommended that residents allow extra time for travel and exercise caution on untreated sidewalks and roadways.
The city announced there will be no trash or recycling collection on Monday due to the Presidents’ Day holiday.
City agencies are coordinating their response to monitor conditions throughout the storm and address any impacts as they develop. The relatively modest snowfall forecast offers some relief compared to the harsh weather conditions New Yorkers have endured in recent weeks.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed about changing conditions and take appropriate precautions when venturing outdoors during and after the snowfall. While the storm is not expected to be severe, even light accumulations can create hazardous conditions, particularly during the morning commute when temperatures remain below freezing.
The National Weather Service will continue monitoring the storm’s progress and may update forecasts as conditions develop throughout Sunday evening and overnight.
