City issues travel advisory for snow and gusty wind

The New York City Emergency Management Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Monday night, February 12 into Tuesday, February 13. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect citywide from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for the possibility of 5 to 8 inches of snow at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This may result in difficult travel alongside low visibility, especially for the morning commute tomorrow. New Yorkers are urged to remain off the roads to allow crews to operate and respond to weather conditions.

Precipitation is expected to start off as rain around midnight tonight. Snow begins to mix in around 3:00 to 4:00 a.m. and transitions to all snow around 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Snowfall will be heaviest toward daybreak and steadily continue through the morning, ending in the early afternoon. The precise storm track and location of heaviest snow banding remains uncertain. Snowfall totals may change leading up to and during the event.

Gusty northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph are also expected tomorrow morning into the afternoon, reducing visibility due to blowing snow. Widespread minor coastal flooding is also possible during high tides tomorrow morning. Tides are expected to peak around 11:00 a.m. in the NY Harbor and Jamaica Bay, and around 2:00 p.m. in the Long Island Sound.

The administration announced that Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Payment at parking meters will remain in effect throughout the city.

The NYC Department of Homeless Services has issued a Code Blue and outreach teams will canvass all five boroughs to connect our most vulnerable New Yorkers to shelters. No one who is homeless and seeking shelter in New York City during a Code Blue will be denied. For the most immediate response, New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.

Residential building owners are legally required to maintain indoor temperatures at 68 degrees when the temperatures fall below 55 degrees outside during the day and a minimum of 62 degrees indoors overnight, regardless of outdoor temperatures. If an apartment lacks appropriate heat, a tenant should first attempt to notify the building owner, managing agent or superintendent. If heat is not restored, the tenant should register an official complaint via 311. Tenants can call 311, visit 311 online at NYC.gov/311, or use the 311 mobile app (on Android and iOS devices) to file a complaint. Hearing-impaired tenants can register complaints via a Touchtone Device for the Deaf TDD at (212) 504-4115.

NYCEM urges all New Yorkers to prioritize their safety by remaining alert and well-informed, including with real-time updates by subscribing to Notify NYC and listening to news broadcasts for the latest weather information. NYCEM strongly encourages all New Yorkers to take proactive steps to ensure their own safety and support the city’s resilience:

NYCEM offers New Yorkers tips on staying safe before, during, and after winter storms at nyc.gov/winterweather.
Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
Allow for extra travel time and expect delays with little to no notice. Use public transportation whenever possible.
If you have to go outdoors, wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves.
Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Shivering is a signal to return indoors. Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs. Older New Yorkers and those with disabilities, access, and functional needs should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.
Be safe at work. Workers who spend a lot of time outdoors are at risk for cold-related health impacts. If you are an employer, implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on how to stay safe during cold and winter weather.
If you must drive, drive slowly. Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible. Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.
Always have an emergency kit in your car. It should include items like blankets, a flashlight, water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a snow shovel.
Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.
If you require assistance for daily activities, make arrangements in advance for support during the expected weather, ensuring caregivers are aware of and prepared for the weather conditions.
Charge your phones and keep a flashlight and batteries handy. If you lose power and have a disability and/or use life-sustaining equipment and need immediate assistance, call 911.
To report power outages, downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment, call your power provider immediately to report the outage. Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 800-75-CONED (752-6633) (TTY: 800-642-2308). You can also report an outage online on Con Edison’s website. National Grid’s 24-hour hotline is 718-643-4050 (TTY: 718-237-2857). PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour hotline is 800-490-0025 (TTY: 631-755-6660).

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the city’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. Notify NYC is available in 14 languages, including American Sign Language. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, New Yorkers can visit the Notify NYC website, call 311, or download the free Notify NYC app for your Android or Apple device. You can now text to 692-692, using the code NOTIFYNYC, NOTIFYNYCESP (Spanish), and NOTIFYFRE (French) to be instantly enrolled to receive the highest priority, verified alerts across all the five boroughs.