Life-Threatening Cold Returns This Weekend, Officials Warn

NEW YORK CITY — With the city’s cold-related death toll now at 16 and dirty snowbanks still lining streets, New York City officials are warning residents to brace for another round of dangerously cold weather this weekend, along with a chance of snow, the Department of Emergency Management said.

Officials warn that wind chills near or below 0 degrees can cause frostbite in minutes, which can lead to permanent nerve damage, infection and skin and tissue death. New Yorkers are advised to limit time outdoors and take frequent breaks indoors to stay safe.

"This weekend presents a moderate to high excessive cold threat to life and property," the Department of Emergency Management wrote on X(formerly Twitter). "Check on older adults, people with medical needs, and neighbors. Bring pets inside."

On Monday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters that outreach teams have placed more than 930 New Yorkers into shelters and safe havens since the Code Blue was activated a week ago. City Hall said they have expanded shelter capacity, relaxed intake rules and worked with faith-based and community-based organizations to scale up outreach to those in need.

"Each of these lives lost is a tragedy," Mamdani said. "My heart is with the families of those mourning their loved ones."

Thursday brings sunny skies but little warmth, with a high near 31 degrees and wind chill values again dipping into the teens and 20s. Temperatures will fall back to around 19 degrees on Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Friday remains cold, with a high near 30 degrees. Clouds increase Friday night, when there is a 50 percent chance of snow showers. Overnight lows are expected to drop to around 16 degrees, meteorologists from the National Weather Service said. Forecasters didn't say how much snow could be expected, two days out.

Saturday will be blustery and cold, with mostly cloudy skies early giving way to some sun later in the day. Highs will struggle to reach the low 20s. Clear skies Saturday night will allow temperatures to plunge to around 6 degrees, forecasters said.

The cold continues into Sunday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 18 degrees. Overnight lows will hover around 10 degrees, forecasters said.

To combat the cold, the city recommends dressing in loose, warm layers. Important areas to cover include the face, hands, ears, and feet. Avoiding wet clothing is also crucial for maintaining body heat.

Community members are encouraged to check on older adults, people with medical needs, and neighbors during this period. Pet owners should bring their pets inside to protect them from the extreme temperatures.

Safety measures for home heating are also emphasized. Space heaters should be kept away from anything flammable and plugged directly into a wall socket; extension cords should never be used. The city also warns against using ovens or grills as heating sources for homes. To prevent frozen pipes, residents should let faucets drip and open cabinet doors under sinks.

For those experiencing heat or hot water issues, the city advises contacting landlords. If these issues remain unresolved, residents can contact 311 for assistance.

Warming centers are available for everyone needing heat. Locations for these centers can be found here.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.