Weather

Mayor Compares Current Blizzard To Historic Arctic Conditions

City continues preparations to keep New Yorkers safe amid snow and wind.

NEW YORK, NY— Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the current blizzard, while severe, is less extreme than previous winter storms that brought extended subfreezing temperatures to New York City.

“You know, when we’re talking about the previous storm, we’re talking about a level of arctic conditions that the city had not seen for many, many years,” Mamdani said.

The mayor noted that past storms kept the city in subzero conditions for days, creating extended hazardous conditions.

Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

This week, however, the milder temperatures will provide a “much shorter runway” for snow and ice to accumulate, helping city crews with plowing, salting, and clearing operations.

Officials continue to urge New Yorkers to stay indoors where possible, check in on neighbors, and follow updates on travel, power, and emergency services as the city responds to the blizzard.

Find out what's happening in New York Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.