You’ve probably already looked out the window and seen that grey, heavy sky that only means one thing in January. Honestly, New York has a way of feeling like a giant snow globe right before the first flake drops. Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, isn't just another cold winter day—it's the day we finally get some real, measurable accumulation.
The National Weather Service hasn't been shy about this one. They’ve slapped a Winter Weather Advisory on the five boroughs, effective from 7:00 AM this morning all the way through 8:00 PM tonight. If you were planning on a lazy brunch or a trek to the museum, you might want to read the fine print on this forecast first. We're looking at a fast-moving clipper system that's aiming to dump 1 to 3 inches of snow across the city. Some spots in eastern Queens or southeast Brooklyn might even see a sneaky 4 inches if the bands set up just right.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) have already triggered a Snow Alert. Basically, that means the "Strongest" are out in force with 700 million pounds of salt and the new Bladerunner 2.0 tracking system. It’s a lot of tech just to make sure you don’t slip on your way to the bodega.
Today's Weather NYC Hour by Hour: The Play-by-Play
The timing of this storm is everything. It’s not a day-long blizzard, but rather a series of "pulses" that will make travel kinda messy at specific intervals.
The Early Morning Shiver (5:00 AM – 8:00 AM)
The air started out thick with fog and mist. At 1:51 AM, Central Park was sitting at 33°F with a wind chill making it feel like 28°F. As of 4:00 AM, the DSNY officially moved into snow-fighting mode. The first flakes likely started swirling around 5:00 AM, but the real show begins as the commute hours (if you can call them that on a Sunday) kick in. By 7:00 AM, the official advisory is live.
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The First Heavy Band (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
This is the first "danger zone" identified by NYC Emergency Management. Expect the snow to ramp up in intensity. Temperatures are hovering right around 31°F to 33°F. Because the ground isn't super frozen yet, the snow will mostly stick to the grass and the tops of cars at first. But don't let that fool you. If the snowfall rate hits an inch per hour, the roads will get slushy fast.
The Mid-Day Lull (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
We might see a bit of a break here. The forecast mentions "peeks of sunshine" or at least a thinning of the clouds. This is your window. If you need to walk the dog or grab groceries, do it now. The high for the day will struggle to reach 35°F or 36°F. It’s a "wet" snow, which means it’s great for snowmen but terrible for your back when you're shoveling.
The Evening Surge (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Round two. NYCEM is warning that the heaviest accumulation could return during this window. As the sun sets (which happens at 4:56 PM today, by the way), temperatures will start their slide toward the overnight low of 23°F. This is when the slush on the sidewalks turns into "black ice."
Winding Down (8:00 PM – Midnight)
The advisory expires at 8:00 PM, and the snow should taper off to a few stray clouds. The wind will pick up from the west at 10 to 15 mph, making it feel much colder than the thermometer says. By the time you're heading to bed, it'll be a crisp, clear, and very frozen 24°F.
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Why This Forecast is Different
We’ve had a weird winter so far. La Niña has been messing with the jet stream, leaning toward a "weak" phase that usually brings variable conditions. One day it's 50 degrees, the next it’s a freezer.
According to the DSNY, there's a 10% chance we could see localized spots hitting 4 inches or more. That doesn't sound like much, but in Manhattan, 4 inches is enough to paralyze side streets. The city has issued a Code Blue, meaning outreach teams are out looking for vulnerable New Yorkers. If you see someone who looks like they’re struggling in the cold, call 311. It’s literally a life-saving call today.
Practical Moves for New Yorkers
Don't be the person spinning their tires on a bridge approach tonight.
First, if you're a property owner, remember the "ice rules." Once the snow stops, you have a specific window to clear your sidewalk. Given it stops around 8 PM, you’ve got until tomorrow morning to have it cleared, but with temps dropping to 23°F, if you don't salt it tonight, it’ll be a skating rink by dawn.
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Second, Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There is no trash or recycling collection tomorrow. DSNY says if you usually have Monday pickup, don't put your stuff out until Monday evening for a Tuesday start.
Lastly, check your radiators. With a low of 23°F and a wind chill likely hitting the teens tonight, the "heat season" requirements are in full effect. Landlords must keep apartments at 62°F overnight.
Your Immediate To-Do List:
- Charge your devices now in case of localized limb-related power blips.
- Clear your sidewalk before 10 PM to prevent overnight icing.
- Download the Notify NYC app for real-time transit shifts on the MTA.
- If you must drive, avoid the FDR and West Side Highway during the 4 PM - 7 PM window.