New York City is bracing for another round of wintry weather as a fresh band of snow moves in on Sunday, January 18, prompting officials to issue a citywide travel advisory and mobilize plows, salt spreaders, and emergency services.

With the National Weather Service placing the five boroughs under a Winter Weather Advisory and warning of slippery roads and reduced visibility, residents, commuters, and visitors are being urged to reconsider nonessential travel and prepare for a slow, messy day of getting around.

More News

Forecast Calls for Light to Moderate Snow, With Localized Higher Totals

The fast moving system tracking across the Northeast on Sunday is expected to begin spreading snow into New York City as early as 5 a.m., continuing through much of the day before tapering off in the evening. Forecasts from the National Weather Service, in coordination with New York City Emergency Management, call for general accumulations of 1 to 3 inches across the five boroughs, with a small but notable chance of 2 to 4 inches in parts of eastern Queens and southeast Brooklyn.

While Saturday’s earlier wave of snow fell on relatively warm surfaces and mainly coated grassy and shaded areas, temperatures on Sunday are expected to be colder, allowing more of the new snow to stick to roads, sidewalks, and elevated surfaces. Meteorologists say the steadiest bands are likely during the morning and late afternoon, coinciding with church services, weekend shopping, and returning holiday travelers.

Even modest snow totals can create significant disruption in a dense urban environment like New York, particularly when precipitation falls during daytime hours on a busy long holiday weekend. Forecasters are also watching for periods of reduced visibility as snow intensifies at times, making driving hazardous and slowing air traffic into and out of the region’s major airports.

City Issues Travel Advisory as Agencies Shift Into Storm Mode

On Saturday, January 17, New York City Emergency Management issued an official travel advisory for Sunday, warning of potentially slippery and snow covered roads, longer travel times, and delays across multiple modes of transportation. The advisory follows the National Weather Service’s Winter Weather Advisory, in effect from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on January 18.

Officials are asking New Yorkers to avoid unnecessary travel during the heaviest snowfall and to rely on public transit where possible. Drivers who must be on the road are urged to slow down, use major thoroughfares, and allow extra braking distance. Pedestrians and cyclists are being reminded to watch for icy patches, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated sidewalks and bike lanes.

City leaders stress that the measures are precautionary but necessary. With many residents still on the move over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, even a few inches of snow can snarl traffic and cause chain reaction delays across highways, bus routes, and subway connections, particularly at intermodal hubs where people transfer between trains, buses, and airport shuttles.

Sanitation Department Mobilizes Salt Spreaders and Plows

The Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Sunday beginning at 4 a.m., its higher level snow fighting posture that triggers round the clock operations. Crews began treating streets on Saturday as the first wave of light snow moved through, with salt spreaders already deployed on every route, including highways and protected bike lanes.

Officials say plows are prepositioned and will be dispatched in any neighborhood where roadway accumulation reaches 2 inches or more. Forecast guidance suggests at least a low probability that isolated parts of the city could see 4 inches of snow, and the department notes it is prepared to escalate operations quickly if that scenario materializes. A centralized GPS monitoring room will track every plow and spreader in real time, a capability city leaders say is intended to improve equity and responsiveness in snow clearance across all neighborhoods.

The Sanitation Department reports it has approximately 700 million pounds of road salt on hand, more than enough to cover multiple rounds of winter weather. Still, New Yorkers are being reminded that while the city manages streets and bike lanes, property owners remain legally responsible for clearing adjacent sidewalks within specific time windows after snowfall ends. Fines for failing to shovel can reach into the hundreds of dollars for repeat offenders.

Code Blue Activated as Temperatures Fall and Snow Accumulates

Alongside the travel advisory, the city has activated a Code Blue, the protocol used when cold, wet, or snowy conditions pose additional risk to people experiencing homelessness. Outreach teams are fanning out across all five boroughs to offer shelter, transportation, and basic services to those sleeping outdoors or in places not meant for habitation.

Under a Code Blue, no one who is homeless and seeking shelter can legally be turned away from the city’s system. The directive expands shelter access and triggers enhanced coordination among social service providers, hospitals, and law enforcement. New Yorkers are being urged to call 311 if they see someone they believe may be in danger from the cold and in need of outreach.

City officials emphasize that the combination of lower temperatures, accumulating snow, and damp conditions can be particularly dangerous overnight and in the days immediately following a storm. Even as travel disruptions often capture the most attention, public health experts consistently stress the parallel risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold related illnesses for vulnerable populations.

Drivers, Transit Riders, and Air Travelers Face Possible Delays

Sunday’s snow is arriving on the heels of broader winter weather in the region that has already disrupted travel corridors from the Mid Atlantic to New England. While forecasters are not predicting a crippling blizzard for New York City itself, the combination of fresh snowfall, lingering slick spots from Saturday, and high travel volumes could produce another day of uneven and occasionally chaotic transit conditions.

On city streets, transportation officials are urging drivers to plan for slower speeds, longer stopping distances, and potential lane reductions where plows are operating. Bridges and elevated roadways are likely to freeze first, increasing the risk of spinouts and minor collisions that can quickly cascade into major backups. Ride hail drivers, delivery workers, and intercity bus operators are being told to leave additional time in schedules and to monitor updated travel advisories throughout the day.

At the airports, even modest snow can translate into significant schedule changes as ground crews work to deice aircraft and clear runways. Airlines at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty have been advising passengers to check their flight status frequently, sign up for carrier alerts, and arrive earlier than usual to navigate potentially longer check in and security lines. Delays in New York can also ripple outward, affecting flights across the country that depend on aircraft and crews cycling through the region.

Residents and Visitors Urged to Prepare and Stay Informed

New York City Emergency Management and other agencies are pushing out preparedness messages across television, radio, and social media, emphasizing a few core steps for both residents and visitors. People are being advised to wear layered, water resistant clothing, sturdy footwear with good traction, hats, and gloves if they must be outdoors. Those planning to drive are encouraged to top off fuel, check tire treads, and ensure windshield washer fluid and wipers are in good working order.

In homes and apartments, officials recommend checking that heat is functioning properly and that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working condition. With many New Yorkers living in multiunit buildings, they are being reminded to keep hallways and emergency exits clear of snow and ice, and to avoid using ovens or stoves for supplemental heating, which can increase fire and carbon monoxide risks.

Emergency managers are also urging people to look out for neighbors, particularly older adults, people with disabilities, and others with access or functional needs who may have difficulty shoveling snow or reaching essential appointments. Simple actions like checking in by phone, helping to clear a stoop, or picking up groceries can make a meaningful difference in how safely communities weather a storm.

What Visitors to New York Need to Know This Weekend

For the many tourists spending the holiday weekend in New York City, the incoming snow may add a picturesque layer to landmarks and parks, but it will also complicate itineraries. Travel and tourism officials are advising visitors to build flexibility into their plans, avoid overpacking their schedules, and pay close attention to local weather reports and transit alerts.

Popular outdoor destinations such as Central Park, the High Line, and waterfront promenades are likely to remain open but could be slippery or partially closed as crews work to clear paths. Some attractions that rely heavily on outdoor queuing may adjust their operations or ask guests to arrive closer to timed entry slots to limit exposure to the elements. Theatergoers and those with reservations at restaurants or rooftop venues are encouraged to verify hours before setting out and to allow extra time for crosstown travel.

Hotels across the city have been preparing for the forecast by stocking additional deicing supplies and coordinating with transportation providers for guests arriving or departing during the storm window. Concierges and front desk staff are advising guests on the best routes to airports and major train stations under winter weather conditions and reminding them that getting an early start is often the simplest way to avoid last minute scrambles.

Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Holiday Weekend

While Sunday is expected to bring the most impactful conditions for New York City, meteorologists will be watching closely for lingering slick spots and refreezing as temperatures dip overnight into Monday, January 19. With schools and many offices closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, some pressure will be eased from the city’s usual weekday rush, but a core of essential workers and travelers will still be on the roads and rails.

Sanitation leaders say snow and ice removal will continue into Monday wherever needed, and they caution that piled snow at corners and crosswalks can remain a hazard even after main roadways appear clear. Pedestrians are being encouraged to step carefully at curbs, where slush and hidden ice often collect, and to avoid walking in the street to circumvent snowbanks whenever traffic is present.

City officials stress that this weekend’s event is part of a broader pattern of active winter weather across the region. While not every system will warrant a travel advisory, they say, the same basic guidance applies whenever snow or ice is in the forecast: plan ahead, give yourself additional time, use mass transit where possible, and stay informed through trusted local channels as conditions evolve.