Due to the chance of colder winter weather in the forecast, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Winter Operations Advisory for Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. The department said that its snow clearing equipment is ready to tackle any winter weather coming our way, and added that the advisory does not constitute a snow alert, since an alert would require that Open Restaurants cease roadway dining.

 

To better facilitate continued operations for Open Restaurant participants this year, DSNY said it will issue both “Snow Alerts” and “Winter Operations Advisories,” with the department planning to use its snow clearing equipment in both situations, as needed.

 

A winter operation advisory will be issued when snow, ice or winter weather is in the forecast, generally under an inch of total accumulation. During such a winter operations advisory, while roadway dining may continue, Open Restaurants should take steps to protect patrons, staff and property. DSNY may spread salt and/or brine on the roadway to prevent freezing.

 

The department will issue a snow alert when an inch or more of snow or ice is in the forecast. During a snow alert, roadway dining must close by the time indicated in the alert. Furniture should be removed or secured, electric heaters should also be removed, as well as “the tops of structures,” if possible. If the forecast calls for 12 inches of snow or more, residents and business owners are asked to remove or consolidate structures, including barriers in order to take up as little space as possible, as this makes snow plowing easier and protects property. The City will announce when the snow alert is over and when roadway dining can safely resume.

 

The department is also coordinating with other City agencies on snow clearing protocol in accordance with each agency’s written snow plan. All relevant city agencies have been notified and the department will continue to monitor forecasts as the snow event approaches.

 

All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website at www.nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can sign up to receive phone calls, text messages, and emails alerts about severe weather events and emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit www.nyc.gov or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

 

Find information on the sanitation department’s snow operations, along with residents’ responsibilities during and after snow at nyc.gov/snow.