New York City is currently dealing with its first real dose of accumulating snow for 2026, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mess out there. If you looked out your window this morning and thought, "Wait, I thought this was just going to be a light dusting," you aren't alone. The models shifted at the last second.
Basically, a coastal low-pressure system decided to track a little closer to the shore than anyone originally expected. That shift turned a "maybe" event into a full-blown Winter Weather Advisory for all five boroughs. Right now, the New York City weather forecast is calling for a solid 2 to 5 inches of snow by the time this wraps up.
It’s not a blizzard. It’s not the end of the world. But it is enough to make a Sunday afternoon trip to the grocery store a giant headache.
What’s Happening Right Now?
The current temperature is hovering right around 33°F. It feels colder, though—more like 27°F because of that 6 mph wind coming out of the north. Humidity is sitting at a thick 96%. That’s why the snow feels so heavy and wet. It’s that classic "heart attack snow" that’s tough to shovel but great for snowmen.
According to the National Weather Service, the Winter Weather Advisory is officially in effect until midnight tonight.
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We’re in a weird lull right now. If you look outside and see just a few stray flakes or even a bit of drizzle, don’t be fooled. The atmosphere is just catching its breath. The "prime time" for this storm is expected to hit between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. That is when the colder air really starts to filter in and the precipitation turns entirely to snow. During those heavy bursts, we could see snowfall rates of nearly an inch per hour.
The Breakdown of Who Gets What
Not every neighborhood is seeing the same thing.
- Manhattan and The Bronx: Expect a fairly consistent 2 to 5 inches.
- Queens and Brooklyn: While the average is 2 to 5, parts of eastern Queens and southeastern Brooklyn might actually see those isolated 4-inch pockets.
- Staten Island: You’re looking at the same 2 to 5 range, but since you're closer to the water, you might see a bit more mixing early on.
Why the NYC Department of Sanitation is Scrambling
The DSNY isn't taking chances. They’ve already issued a "Snow Alert," which is their higher-level notification. We’re talking about roughly 700 million pounds of salt ready to go and nearly 1,000 sanitation workers on the clock.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol have been pretty vocal today about staying off the roads. They’ve activated the "Bladerunner 2.0" GPS tracking system to monitor salting operations in real-time. If you see a plow, give it space.
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Also, it’s worth noting that because tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there’s no trash or recycling collection anyway. If you usually put your bins out on Sunday night for Monday pickup, hold off. You can put them out Monday evening instead for a Tuesday collection.
The Brutal Cold Coming Tomorrow
The snow is only half the story. Once the clouds clear out late tonight, an Arctic air mass is moving in. We’re going from "a little slushy" to "absolutely freezing" in a matter of hours.
By tomorrow morning, the low will hit 25°F, but the wind chill is going to be the real story. For those heading out for MLK Day of Service events or just trying to grab a coffee, be ready for wind chills that feel significantly lower than the actual temp. In fact, throughout Monday and Tuesday, wind chills could stay in the single digits for most of the city.
Actionable Steps for New Yorkers
Don't just sit there and watch the radar. Here is what you actually need to do to handle the rest of today and the upcoming deep freeze.
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Check on your neighbors. This is a "Code Blue" day. If you see someone outside who looks like they’re struggling or experiencing homelessness, call 311. The city’s outreach teams are canvassing all five boroughs to get people into shelters.
Know the "Heat Law." Since it’s below 55°F outside, your landlord is legally required to keep your apartment at least 68°F during the day (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.). At night, it has to be at least 62°F regardless of the outside temp. If your radiators are ice cold, call 311 after you’ve notified your landlord.
Clear your tailpipes. If you’re one of the brave souls trying to dig your car out later tonight, make sure the exhaust pipe is clear before you start the engine. Carbon monoxide buildup is no joke when you're sitting in a car surrounded by snowbanks.
Shovel early, shovel often. Because the temps are dropping tonight, any slush left on the sidewalk is going to turn into a sheet of ice by Monday morning. It’s much easier to push two inches of wet snow now than to chip away at two inches of solid ice tomorrow.
Watch the "freezing line." If you're traveling toward Long Island or the Jersey Shore, the line where rain turns to snow is shifting. The roads will be "greasy" and unpredictable. If you don't have to be on the BQE or the LIE this evening, just stay home.
The snow should taper off from west to east between 9 p.m. and midnight. Once it’s gone, the focus shifts entirely to the freeze. Dress in layers, keep your pets inside, and maybe find a good book, because the next 48 hours are going to be some of the coldest we've seen in a while.