WINTER STORM WARNING & CANCELLATIONS!

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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY FOR SNOW, GUSTY WINDS, AND MINOR COASTAL FLOODING

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February 12, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Monday night, February 12th into Tuesday, February 13th. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect citywide from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for the possibility of 5 to 8 inches of snow at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This may result in difficult travel alongside low visibility, especially for the morning commute tomorrow. New Yorkers are urged to remain off the roads to allow crews to operate and respond to weather conditions.

Precipitation is expected to start off as rain around midnight tonight. Snow begins to mix in around 3:00 to 4:00 a.m. and transitions to all snow around 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Snowfall will be heaviest toward daybreak and steadily continue through the morning, ending in the early afternoon. The precise storm track and location of heaviest snow banding remains uncertain. Snowfall totals may change leading up to and during the event. 

Gusty northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph are also expected tomorrow morning into the afternoon, reducing visibility due to blowing snow. Widespread minor coastal flooding is also possible during high tides tomorrow morning. Tides are expected to peak around 11:00 a.m. in the NY Harbor and Jamaica Bay, and around 2:00 p.m. in the Long Island Sound.

As part of the Winter Weather Emergency Plan, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will be issuing a Snow Alert and is pre-deploying over 700 salt spreaders to pretreat roadways ahead of the first snowflake and is prepared to dispatch plows in all sectors when more than two inches of snow accumulates. During a Snow Alert, the Department collaborates closely with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation to implement snow clearing protocols, adhering to the detailed snow plans established by each agency. DSNY will be tracking operations via its new Bladerunner 2.0 platform, allowing real-time adjustments as conditions require. Every street is on a route and, for the first time, every route can be dispatched at the same time.

While the NYC Department of Sanitation clears streets and bike lanes, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks. 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. While property owners are not required to clear bus stops, the Department of Sanitation suggests that property owners clear a path from the sidewalk to the curb at the bus stop. The fine for the initial failure to clear sidewalks summons is $100 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $250 for the third offense. 

Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115.

NYCEM urges all New Yorkers to prioritize their safety by remaining alert and well-informed, including with real-time updates by subscribing to Notify NYC and listening to news broadcasts for the latest weather information. NYCEM strongly encourages all New Yorkers to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety and support the city’s resilience:

• Allow for extra travel time and expect delays with little to no notice. Use public transportation whenever possible.

• If you have to go outdoors, wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves.

• If you must drive, drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

• Always have an emergency kit in your car. It should include items like blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a snow shovel.

• 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. 

• If you require assistance for daily activities, make arrangements in advance for support during the expected weather, ensuring caregivers are aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.

• Charge your phones and keep a flashlight and batteries handy. If you lose power and have a disability and/or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.

• To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison's website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660).