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How does the MTA deal with snowstorms? Jet engine-powered snow blowers

LIRR jet snow blower at Jamaica. Photo courtesy of Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr

January 26, 2026

How does the MTA deal with snowstorms? Jet engine-powered snow blowers

By Devin Gannon

New York City's biggest snowstorm in several years brought nearly a foot of snow to Central Park this weekend, with a mix of snowfall and sleet hitting all five boroughs and the broader region. While a travel advisory remains in effect through Monday, the city's subways, buses, and commuter rail services are running, although with some delays, thanks to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's fleet of super-powered snow throwers, jet-powered snow blowers, and specially designed de-icing cars.
More this way

NYC breaks 50-year record for longest snowless streak

Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash

January 30, 2023

NYC breaks 50-year record for longest snowless streak

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City has broken the record for the longest start to a winter season without snow, with no considerable amount of snow hitting the five boroughs for 327 days. If no measurable snowfall, considered at least a tenth of an inch, falls by February 4, the city will break its record for the longest streak of consecutive days without measurable snow, according to the New York Times.
Learn more here

City Living

Will New York City see a White Christmas this year?

Snow in Central Park; Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

December 21, 2022

Will New York City see a White Christmas this year?

By Aaron Ginsburg

New Yorkers who fantasize about opening their blinds on Christmas morning to a sprawling landscape of snow will likely be disappointed this year. According to the "White Christmas Calculator," a tool created by the Omni Calculator Project that gives the likelihood of snowfall in major cities, the probability that New York City sees at least one inch of snow on December 25 is approximately 13.2 percent. However, there are a few other cities located nearby with a near or over 50 percent chance of seeing flurries.
Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Events & Things To Do

Track the progress of NYC snow plows with this interactive map

Screenshot of PlowNYC

February 1, 2021

Track the progress of NYC snow plows with this interactive map

By 6sqft

Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared on Monday a state of emergency for New York City and much of the state as Winter Storm Orlena continues to hit the area with heavy snowfall, over 50 mph winds, and white-out conditions. While many New Yorkers are already working from home, essential workers still have to get to work. With the city expected to get 16-22 inches of snow, the Department of Sanitation has updated its interactive PlowNYC map to see if and when your street has been plowed and salted.
See when your street was plowed last

City Living

The Blizzard of 1888: The biggest snowstorm to ever hit NYC

Pierpont Street from Fulton Street in Brooklyn. Photo via Library of Congress

January 26, 2021

The Blizzard of 1888: The biggest snowstorm to ever hit NYC

By 6sqft

With snow in the forecast for much of the week, we decided to take a look back at the biggest blizzard to ever blanket New York City. On March 12th of 1888, a record-setting 21 inches of snow had been dumped on the city, resulting in snowdrifts of up to 50 feet, $25 million in property damage, and 200 deaths. Known as the "Great Blizzard," it affected the entire eastern seaboard and is still considered one of the worst snowstorms in American history.
Learn more

History

NYC shuts down outdoor dining on streets ahead of major snowstorm

Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

December 15, 2020

NYC shuts down outdoor dining on streets ahead of major snowstorm

By Devin Gannon

Outdoor dining on New York City streets will be suspended Wednesday afternoon ahead of an impending snowstorm, the city's Department of Sanitation announced. The "Snow Alert" issued by the DSNY says "roadway dining" must end by 2 p.m. and be shut down for the duration of the alert. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service predicts between 8 and 14 inches of snow in the city starting late afternoon on Wednesday.
Details here

In 19th century NYC, sleigh carnivals took over parks on snowy days

Image: NYPL

January 29, 2019

In 19th century NYC, sleigh carnivals took over parks on snowy days

By Michelle Cohen

Ephemeral New York brings us a particularly charming example of how New Yorkers found a reason to socialize even in frozen conditions two centuries ago. Sleigh carnivals turned out scores of joyriding city folk who wanted to show off their new super-light rides. James Stuart wrote in his 1833 UK travel memoir, "Three Years in North America," that after a heavy January snow, “the New York carnival began, and the beautiful light-looking sleighs made their appearance. Even the most delicate females of New York think an evening drive, of 10 or 20 miles, even in the hardest frost, conducive to their amusement and health.”
Sleigh bells ring

History

What are the chances of a White Christmas in NYC this year?

Photo via Marianne O’Leary on Flickr

December 19, 2018

What are the chances of a White Christmas in NYC this year?

By Devin Gannon

The chance of getting a White Christmas in New York City this year is sadly unlikely, but not impossible. The team behind the Omni Calculator Project created an online tool that provides the probability of snowfall in major cities across the United States as well as the closest White Christmas--meaning at least one inch of snowfall on Dec. 25--near that city. While the White Christmas Calculator says NYC has a roughly 12 percent chance of seeing snow next Tuesday, there are four nearby cities with a nearly 50 percent chance of enjoying some flurries.
Dreaming of a White Christmas?

Events & Things To Do

December 19, 2017

Will New York get a White Christmas this year?

By Devin Gannon

In the United States, if at least one inch of snow falls on the morning of December 25, it gets labeled as a "White Christmas." While some states in the north and Midwest are the most likely to enjoy a snow day on Christmas, the phenomenon is uncommon in New York, but not impossible. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal agency that provides timely information about climate and weather patterns, created a map that shows the historic probability of there being at least one inch of snow on the ground in 48 states on Christmas. The darkest gray shows places where the probability is less than 10 percent and the white areas show probabilities greater than 90 percent.
Is New York dreaming of a White Christmas?

City Living

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February 10, 2017

It may cost NYC taxpayers up to $28M to clean up yesterday’s snow storm

By Dana Schulz

For fiscal year 2017, the city budgeted $88 million for snow removal and has already spent $26 million. But yesterday's dump of the white stuff could bring that number up to $54 million. DNAinfo reports that Comptroller Scott Stringer estimates it could cost NYC taxpayers between $19.9 and $27.9 million to dig out from Winter Storm Niko, which is based on the average of $1.99 million per inch of snow that the city has paid over the past 14 years.
Find out more

Policy

Winter Storm Niko watch: Track the city’s plows live with this handy map

A real-time plow update today

February 9, 2017

Winter Storm Niko watch: Track the city’s plows live with this handy map

By Diane Pham

With close to 10 inches of snow already on the ground and more to come, Winter Storm Niko is certainly making getting around a challenge. But before taking a chance and entering that winter wonderland, check out the city's handy interactive map called PlowNYC, which tracks the progress of the Department of Sanitation's 2,300 salt spreaders and plows.
Find out more

January 26, 2016

What to Do if Your Sidewalk Hasn’t Been Shoveled

By Michelle Cohen

If you're trying to get somewhere this week and there's a mountain of snow left by the weekend storm in your path, Mayor de Blasio wants to help. On Monday, in response to complaints about businesses with unplowed sidewalks, the mayor said that the city would "definitely be focusing today on businesses that aren't doing that–we will be applying fines to any business that does not shovel out” (h/t DNAinfo). City code states that "every owner, property manager, tenant or other individual in charge of a lot or building must clean snow and ice from the sidewalks in front, on the side of and in back of their properties within a certain time frame." The snow officially stopped falling at 3:30am on Sunday, meaning that anyone with shoveling to do had until 11 a.m. Monday to get the job done before the possibility of getting hit with fines.
So whose job is it, anyway?

December 26, 2015

December 26, 1947: A Record-Breaking Snowstorm Blankets NYC

By Diane Pham

New York may be enjoying yet another unseasonably warm day, but 68 years ago today, short sleeves and sidewalk dining were completely out of the question. It was December 26, 1947 that the city experienced its biggest snowstorm ever—a blizzard that dumped 26.4 inches of snow on the ground. According to NYC.gov, "the City was paralyzed when the blizzard barreled its way through, stranding cars and buses in the streets, halting subway service, and claiming 77 lives." In the end it took $6 million, nearly 30,000 workers, and weeks of digging and plowing to bring the city back to passable again. You can watch a video of the chaos brought by 99 million tons of snow ahead.
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