New York City Braces for First Blizzard Warning in Nearly a Decade
New York City has received its first blizzard warning in nine years as a powerful late-winter storm prepares to strike the region. The warning, issued Saturday by the National Weather Service, covers New York City, New Jersey, and coastal communities along the east coast, with the storm expected to arrive on Sunday and potentially dump more than a foot of snow while bringing wind gusts exceeding 55 miles per hour.
Unprecedented Storm Severity for Populated Region
The National Weather Service has significantly increased its assessment of the storm's severity, now anticipating 1 to 2 feet of snow for New York City, Long Island, southern Connecticut, and coastal communities in New Jersey and Delaware. Meteorologist Cody Snell from the service's Weather Prediction Center emphasized the unusual nature of this event, stating, "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."
This blizzard warning marks the first for New York City since 2017 and comes at a time when parts of the city still contain remnants of ice mounds from the previous major snowstorm that occurred nearly a month ago. The warning takes effect at 6:00 AM on Sunday and will remain in place through 6:00 PM on Monday, creating potentially hazardous conditions at the start of the work week.
Official Warnings and Emergency Preparations
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the situation at a Saturday news conference, revealing that the city could receive up to 20 inches of snow. "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 stated. He added that efforts to move unhoused New Yorkers off the streets and into shelters would begin Saturday afternoon, a crucial precaution given recent tragic events.
The urgency of these preparations is underscored by recent history: at least 19 people were found dead outdoors in the city after temperatures plunged on January 19th and remained below freezing for ten consecutive days. Authorities believe at least 15 of these victims died from hypothermia, highlighting the deadly potential of extreme winter conditions.
Regional Impact and Travel Disruptions
The storm system will begin affecting areas around Washington D.C. on Sunday morning before stretching toward Philadelphia and New York City, eventually reaching Boston by late Monday evening. The National Weather Service has issued stark warnings about travel conditions, noting that the storm will "make travel dangerous, if not impossible. Scattered downed tree limbs and power outages possible due to snow load and strong winds."
Mayor Mamdani strongly urged New Yorkers to avoid unnecessary travel, saying, "I am asking New Yorkers to stay inside and stay off the roads for your safety. These have the potential to be even more hazardous conditions than we faced the last time around."
Coastal Communities Take Precautions
In Atlantic City, New Jersey, officials have issued similar warnings to residents and casino visitors, particularly emphasizing the danger in low-lying neighborhoods prone to flooding. Scott Evans, the city's fire chief and emergency management coordinator, explained the particular risks: "I could go on and on probably with a good two dozen streets where we know we will get water and there will be snow on top of that. So you won't be able to see it until it's too late, so therefore please stay at home."
The weather service has also noted that flooding is possible in parts of New York and New Jersey, adding another layer of danger to the already severe winter storm conditions. As the region prepares for this significant weather event, authorities across multiple jurisdictions are coordinating response efforts and urging extreme caution from all residents.
