New York Braces for Second Day of Snow
Brittainy Newman for The New York Times
Better start shoveling.
A storm has piled blankets of snow on city streets. A couple of inches more is expected today, for a total of 18 to 24 inches by the time the snowfall ends, which may happen late tonight.
City and state officials are asking residents to stay home and to only go out when necessary — a familiar ask almost a year into the coronavirus pandemic.
[Get the latest updates on the storm and cancellations or resumptions here.]
Here’s what you need to know:
The Details
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared a state of emergency in 44 counties because of expected wind gusts from 40 to 60 miles per hour and flooding in coastal regions.
Mayor Bill de Blasio restricted all nonessential trips on city roads until 6 a.m. today.
“I am fearful even this tough situation we’re in now could get worse, so I need people to heed the call. Stay home.”
Mr. de Blasio said during a news conference Monday.
The storm has also affected the city’s vaccination efforts. Appointments for today at government-run sites in the New York metro area are postponed.
Though in-person classes were canceled until Wednesday, remote learning will go on.
(Some schoolchildren may lament not having a snow day.) The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will restart at 4 a.m. today, and aboveground subway service will resume at 5 a.m.
The Precedent
Forecasters have said the winter storm could be among the heaviest in the city’s history.
Just weeks ago, the city was blanketed in what had been the biggest snowstorm in years. In December, the National Weather Service recorded 10 inches of snow in Central Park, and parts of the Bronx and Queens were covered in a foot of it; upstate, Binghamton was buried under 41 inches.
The Reaction
Unlike storms of yore, the heavy snowfall in the current system was a welcome change of scenery for residents who were stuck at home anyway.
“This is quite nice, to have just a little part of time set out for not thinking about anything Covid-related,”
said Krivia Jara, 31, as she walked her dog in Washington Heights.
While many New Yorkers continued to work from home, the city’s essential workers braved the dangerous conditions and limited public transportation.
Saleem Hassan, 18, was working behind the counter at Fort Tryon Deli & Grill on Monday, weighing his options. He expected that co-workers who lived in Queens would not be able to relieve him, so he had to chose between closing early and working until 10 p.m.
“I hate it.”
Mr. Hassan put it simply.