The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a winter operations advisory for Saturday, March 12, beginning at 1 a.m. This type of advisory is the department’s “lower level” winter weather message, as opposed to the “higher level” snow alert.

 

Officials said a wintry mix of rain and snow is expected throughout the day Saturday, and depending on exact timing and temperature, New York City may receive up to one inch on paved surfaces, and up to three inches on unpaved surfaces. They said even after the rainfall stops, temperatures will continue to fall throughout Saturday evening and into Sunday, and icy conditions are possible, particularly early Sunday morning.

 

Department officials said DSNY are filling salt spreaders to pretreat New York City’s roadways, and more than 700 will be active across the City in the coming days, as needed, to prevent icing conditions. As this is a “rain to snow” event, they said liquid brine will not be used. Department officials said they are prepared to deploy plows in every sector in the unlikely event of roadway snow accumulation over two inches.

 

DSNY officials added that the Open Restaurants program may continue to offer outdoor and roadway dining. Restaurants with roadway seating should, however, be aware that DSNY equipment may spread salt on the roadway.

 

Though delays may occur while the department is in snow operations mode, agency officials said residents should continue to follow their normal collection schedule for trash, compost and recycling.

 

They added that alternate side parking regulations and parking meters will operate as normal.

 

According to DSNY, the department is coordinating with other City agencies on snow clearing protocol in accordance with each agency’s written snow plan, and all relevant city agencies have been notified. Department officials said they 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 DSNY snow operations, as well as residents’ responsibilities during and after snow at nyc.gov/snow.