New York City and the Tri-State area have begun digging out from the first significant snowstorm of the season; followed by the coldest temperatures in two years over the next few days.
NEW YORK (WABC) — The post-winter storm dig out has started in New York City and across the Tri-State after the region was blanketed with several inches of snow on Sunday.
Now, the area is bracing for the coldest temperatures in two years over the next few days.
Snow began falling across much of the area by early Sunday afternoon. The storm had a major impact on air travel even before the snow began to fall. By mid-afternoon, more than 1,000 flights had been canceled. Newark and LaGuardia airports saw the biggest impacts with 260 flight cancellations at EWR and 252 at LGA as of 10 p.m. Republic Airways, a regional airline partnering with Delta, American, and United Airlines, has canceled 287 flights. JetBlue has canceled 176 flights, and Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta, has canceled 117 flights.
Check your flight status: Newark Liberty International Airport JFK Airport LaGuardia Airport
The snowstorm moved out Sunday night, leaving a gift for kids in the Bronx, where snowy hills created the perfect spots for sledding. But what was less fun were the driving conditions, especially on hills where it’s easy to lose traction.
Sonia Rincon is in the Bronx where kids were taking advantage of snowy hills perfect for sledding.
Cab drivers gassed up for what could be a busy couple of days on the snow and the ice once the temperature plunges.
The roads in the city were pretty empty Sunday night outside of sanitation plow truck traffic going in out of a Department of Transportation yard in Van Cortlandt Park loading up with salt. It’s hard work for sanitation crews determined to get to every road in the city.
And while the department takes care of clearing city streets, highways and bike lanes, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks and making them passable.
Snow removal timetable for NYC residents
If the snow stops falling between:
7 a.m. and 5 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 4 hours
5 p.m. and 9 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 14 hours
9 p.m. and 7 a.m., property owners must clear sidewalks by 11 a.m.
Failure to clear sidewalks could result in a $100 fine for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $250 for the third.
RELATED: Winter weather emergency resources for the New York area
As a reminder, Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended for Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr Day.
MASS TRANSIT
MTA employees were deployed throughout the operating region spreading salt and clearing surfaces of snow, keeping signals, switches, and third rails operating, and attending to any weather-related challenges.
Those who travel are urged to allow extra travel time and be cautious on station staircases and platforms, as well as when boarding and exiting trains. For service updates, customers should monitor service on mta.info, the TrainTime app, the MYmta app, and the MTA’s social media feeds.
While the underground portions of the subway system remain unaffected during snowstorms, there are nearly 220 miles of outdoor track throughout the boroughs. NYC Transit’s Department of Subways has a fleet of emergency response equipment, including debris trains and de-icer trains, ready to deploy and respond to icy conditions.
Crews are monitoring switches and tracks to ensure they are working properly, along with salting and clearing snow from elevated station platforms, exposed stairs and subway entrances.
Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road, and NJ Transit are monitoring conditions. Visit their websites for updates.
NEW YORK
Across the state, 1,630 large plow trucks were at the ready to be deployed and hundreds of others in various sizes were set and ready to go.
Drivers who have to travel in dangerous conditions can call 511 for the latest traffic and travel information.
NEW JERSEY
Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency in New Jersey because of the winter storm and dangerously low temperatures expected from Monday through Wednesday.
An army of plow trucks made repeated runs on the roads in New Jersey trying to keep pace with the heavy snowfall. Luckily, the storm occurred Sunday during a long holiday weekend when travel is normally light.
Lucy Yang reports from Ramsey
Lucy Yang is in Ramsey, New Jersey with the latest on snowstorm preps there.
In Newark, a parking advisory has been issued, and drivers are expected to avoid streets with “No Parking on Snow-Covered Roads” signs.
The Department of Safety will respond to activated burglar alarms, flooding and other weather-related incidents.
For non-emergency weather-related issues, Newark residents are urged to dial 973-733-6000 and 9-1-1 for all other emergencies.
Gov. Phil Murphy joins Eyewitness News over the phone to discuss snow preparations in New Jersey for Sunday’s winter storm.
CONNECTICUT
In Connecticut ahead of the storm, Governor Ned Lamont advised residents to prepare for the first significant statewide snowfall the state has experienced so far this winter season. Motorists were encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared to stay off the roads during the height of the storm.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s fleet of more than 600 snowplows and specialized snow removal equipment was at the ready to deploy across the state. Crews are on standby all weekend and will remain active until the roads are clear of snow and ice.
Because of the brutally cold temperatures forecast to arrive after the storm, Lamont also directed the state’s severe cold weather protocol to go into effect beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025, and remaining in effect through 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is warning state residents to stay indoors as extreme conditions could become life-threatening.
“Being outdoors for extended periods during these extreme conditions can be fatal, and we want to get the word out that shelters and warming centers are available across Connecticut,” Lamont said in a statement.
For Connecticut residents in need of a place to stay, they should call 2-1-1 or they can visit 211ct.org to read a list of available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.
DANGEROUS COLD
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is urging residents who experience heating issues during the cold wave to call 3-1-1.
“We have a cold blue it has been issued, issued for unsheltered New Yorkers. So if you see someone in need, please, please call 311, and sign up for Notify NYC for the latest weather updates and alerts and so remember to check our neighbors, make sure that they know about any heating conditions that they can call 311, to report the lack of heat in their buildings, but we have to be here for each other and make sure our pets and other parts of New York are safe as We navigate through this cold weather condition We expected,” Adams said during a press conference.
Homelessness Amid Cold Wave
Shelters are available for the homeless, especially during the cold wave. OEM Commissioner Zach Iscol wants New Yorkers to stay vigilant and help those who might need a warm place to stay.
“As the mayor said, please don’t hesitate to call 311, if you see someone vulnerable who may need housing,” he said.
“Take steps to stay warm if you don’t have heat or hot water, call your building manager if it is not resolved, call 311, in emergencies, call 911, and always. Please subscribe to notify NYC for the latest updates and alerts. It’s available in 14 languages, including America, American Sign Language.”
Safety Tips
Dress for Cold Weather
Dress in layers and cover exposed skin
Warm hat and gloves; face mask for extreme cold
2-3 layers of upper-body clothing and 1-2 layers of lower-body clothing
An outer layer to keep out wind and wet snow
Waterproof boots
Don’t Forget Your Pets
Keep pets warm, dry and indoors when possible.
Provide plenty of food and water because dehydration is especially dangerous in winter.
Keep pets bundled up when outside, limit their time outside and clean them thoroughly, including paws, when bringing pets indoors.
For more safety tips, visit dhses.ny.gov/safety. For all non-emergency service needs in New York State before, during or after a storm, call 211 or visit www.211nys.org/.
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New York City and the Tri-State area have begun digging out from the first significant snowstorm of the season; followed by the coldest temperatures in two years over the next few days.
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