If you’re waking up in New York City this Sunday, January 18, 2026, and expecting a quick dusting that vanishes by brunch, you might want to look out the window again. The city is currently under a Winter Weather Advisory that isn't just about "pretty" snowflakes; it's a legitimate logistical headache that has triggered the city's Winter Weather Emergency Plan.
Honestly, we’ve all been through those hyped-up "storms of the century" that turn out to be just some cold rain. This isn't that, but it isn't a blizzard either. It’s that tricky middle ground where the timing matters more than the total inches.
The Reality of the Sunday Snowfall
The National Weather Service and NYC Emergency Management are tracking a fast-moving system that’s basically decided to park itself over the five boroughs for most of the day. Snow likely started around 5 a.m. or 6 a.m., and it’s expected to keep coming down in distinct bands.
Don't expect a massive wall of white. Instead, it’s a marathon.
The heaviest accumulation is predicted to hit in two specific windows: between 8 a.m. and noon, and again from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. We’re looking at a general 1 to 3 inches across the city. If you’re in eastern Queens or southeast Brooklyn, there’s a sneaky 10% chance you might see closer to 4 inches.
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Why the Temperature is the Real Story
It’s easy to focus on the "3 inches" part, but the mercury is what’s going to make this messy. The high for Sunday is hovering right around 34°F, while the low will drop to 22°F.
During the day, that near-freezing temperature means the snow might struggle to stick to the warmer asphalt at first. However, as the afternoon progresses and we lose what little light we have (UV index is basically zero today), those roads are going to get slick.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the DSNY have already sent out the salt spreaders. They’ve been active since Saturday, treating highways and bike lanes with brine solutions. But with 92% humidity and a north wind at 6 mph, that "slushy" mix on the ground is going to feel a lot colder than the thermometer says.
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Getting Around (Or Not)
If you’ve got plans, you've gotta be smart about the "Travel Advisory." NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol isn't just saying "don't drive" for fun. The mix of snow showers and light snow throughout the evening means visibility will be junk.
If the snow stops falling between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., property owners have exactly 4 hours to clear their sidewalks. If it lingers into the night (which it looks like it will, tapering off into "light snow" with a 45% chance of precipitation overnight), you have until 11 a.m. Monday to get that shovel out.
What's actually happening on the ground:
- Plows are staged: DSNY has plows ready for any neighborhood that hits the 2-inch mark.
- Bike Lanes: In a shift from older policies, bike lanes are being serviced simultaneously with car lanes this year via the Bladerunner 2.0 platform.
- Public Transit: Expect the usual "headway" delays on the subway. Melting snow on stairs and platforms is a slip hazard—be careful.
Is Everything Canceled?
Not necessarily. New York is built for this. If you’re looking to escape the slush, the city actually has some cool indoor stuff happening.
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The MLK Day Concert at Brick Presbyterian Church is still slated for today, featuring the Young People’s Chorus of NYC. It’s a free event and a great way to stay warm while celebrating the holiday weekend. Also, since it's a long weekend with MLK Day on Monday, most museums like MoMA or the American Museum of Natural History are perfect retreats—just expect everyone else to have the same idea.
Actionable Steps for the Rest of Today
- Check your neighbors: With temps dropping to 22°F tonight, check on elderly neighbors or those who might have heating issues.
- Shovel early, shovel often: Don’t wait for the full 3 inches to freeze solid tonight. It’s easier to move slush now than ice later.
- App Updates: Use the Notify NYC app or check nyc.gov/snow before you even think about heading to the airport or jumping on the BQE.
- Monday Outlook: Tomorrow looks sunny but cold with a high of 34°F and gusts up to 30 mph. Any slush left tonight will be a solid block of ice by the morning commute.
Stay warm, keep the salt handy, and maybe just order that delivery early before the riders have to deal with the 4 p.m. snow band.