First blizzard warning for New York City in nine years issued by National Weather Service
Storm expected to bring 1-2 feet of snow and wind gusts exceeding 55mph
Mayor Mamdani warns of up to 20 inches of snow and urges residents to stay indoors
Emergency efforts to protect unhoused populations beginning before the storm hits
Storm expected to cause dangerous travel conditions and possible power outages
📖 Full Retelling
The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings Saturday for New York City, New Jersey and coastal communities along the east coast for a late-winter storm set to arrive Sunday that could dump more than a foot of snow and bring wind gusts exceeding 55mph, marking the first such warning for New York City in nine years as the area braces for hazardous conditions. The National Weather Service increased its assessment of the storm's severity, anticipating 1 to 2 feet of snow for New York City, Long Island, southern Connecticut, and coastal communities in New Jersey and Delaware. The warning comes as parts of New York City are still dotted with piles of ice remaining from a major snowstorm nearly a month ago. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced at a Saturday news conference that the city could receive up to 20 inches of snow, with the blizzard warning effective from 6am Sunday through 6pm Monday. The storm's impact is expected to be widespread, with meteorologist Cody Snell from the Weather Prediction Center noting that while the region typically experiences nor'easters with heavy snow, it has been several years since a storm of this magnitude has affected such a large populated area.
🏷️ Themes
Weather emergency, Public safety, Urban preparedness
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive with its respective county.
Snow consists of individual ice crystals that grow while suspended in the atmosphere—usually within clouds—and then fall, accumulating on the ground where they undergo further changes. It consists of frozen crystalline water throughout its life cycle, starting when, under suitable conditions, the ic...
Weather warning indicating blizzard conditions in the warned area
A blizzard warning (SAME code: BZW) is a hazardous weather statement issued by Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) of the National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States, which indicates heavy snowfall accompanied by sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph (56 km/h) or greater are forecast to occ...
A wind gust or simply gust is a brief, sudden increase in the wind speed. It usually lasts for less than 20 seconds, briefer than a squall, which lasts minutes. A gust is followed by a lull (or slackening) in the wind speed.
The first blizzard warning in New York City in nine years signals a rare and severe winter storm that could bring heavy snow, high winds, and flooding, posing significant risks to public safety and infrastructure.
Context & Background
Blizzard warning issued for NYC, NJ, and coastal communities
Storm expected 1-2 ft of snow and 55 mph wind gusts
Potential flooding and power outages due to snow load and wind
What Happens Next
City officials will activate emergency shelters for unhoused residents, and authorities warn that travel will be dangerous and power outages may occur. Residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid roads until the storm passes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expected snowfall amount?
Officials estimate between 13 and 17 inches, with a chance of up to 20 inches.
When does the blizzard warning take effect?
The warning starts at 6 a.m. Sunday and ends at 6 p.m. Monday.
What precautions should residents take?
Stay indoors, avoid roads, and seek shelter if you are unhoused.
Original Source
New York City gets first blizzard warning in nine years as area hunkers down New Jersey and other east coast areas brace for storm threatening more than 1ft of snow and 55mph wind gusts Blizzard warnings were issued Saturday for New York City, New Jersey and coastal communities along the east coast for a late-winter storm set to arrive on Sunday that could dump more than a foot of snow and bring wind gusts of more than 55mph. The blizzard warning for New York City is the first since 2017 and comes as parts of the city are still dotted with hillocks of ice – leftovers from the previous major snowstorm nearly a month ago. The National Weather Service increased its assessment of the severity of the storm, saying it anticipated 1ft to 2 ft of snow for New York City, Long Island, southern Connecticut and coastal communities in New Jersey and Delaware. Flooding was also possible in parts of New York and New Jersey, the weather service said. “While we do get plenty of these nor’easters that produce heavy snow and strong impacts, it’s been several years since we saw one of this magnitude across this large of a region in this very populated part of the country,” said Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the service’s Weather Prediction Center. New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a news conference Saturday the city could get up to 20in. The blizzard warning takes effect at 6am Sunday and lasts through 6pm Monday. “We are now expecting between 13 to 17 inches of snow, but there is a slight chance we may see up to 20 inches, if not more,” Mamdani said, adding that efforts to get unhoused New Yorkers off the streets and into shelters would begin Saturday afternoon. At least 19 people were found dead outdoors in the city after temperatures plunged on 19 January and remained below freezing for 10 consecutive days. At least 15 of the victims are believed to have died due to hypothermia. The NWS’s Snell said the storm will arrive Sunday morning in areas around Washington DC, before...
