The New York City Emergency Management Department (EMS) has issued a travel advisory for Friday, Feb. 4 into Saturday, Feb. 5, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for New York City, which is in effect from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday. According to the latest forecast, a low-pressure system and its associated cold front, will bring freezing rain and sleet to the area beginning early Friday morning, before tapering off in the evening.

 

In addition, weather experts say periods of moderate rain are likely Thursday afternoon and overnight, producing 1.5 to 2 inches of total rainfall through the end of the weather event. Any areas with standing water will also re-freeze Friday afternoon and evening. This, combined with the freezing rain, will create icy conditions on the road into Saturday. 

  

NYC Emergency Management acting commissioner, Christina Farrell said the City was still in the midst of the winter season, and that the latest weather event would bring freezing rain and a wintry mix to the area this week. “Freezing rain will impact the morning and evening commute, and we encourage New Yorkers to make adjustments to their travel plans,” she said. “We encourage all New Yorkers to use mass transit, allow for extra travel time, and exercise caution.”  

 

Meanwhile, NYC Department of Transportation commissioner, Ydanis Rodriguez, said New Yorkers should be aware of rapidly changing weather conditions over the next two days, and that DOT’s crews would be responding by pre-treating bridges, overpasses and step streets while also clearing catch basins, and supplementing that work with icicle and pothole patrols on the City’s roadways. “We will be working closely with our agency partners at DSNY and NYCEM throughout this weather event,” the commissioner said. “The safest choice on the roads during these potentially dangerous conditions will be to avoid driving altogether.  If you need to travel, please use mass transit.”

   

Edward Grayson, commissioner of New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), said the City was expecting fast-changing conditions on Friday, as temperatures drop rapidly. “Even after last week’s foot of snow, DSNY is ready to go, and asks all New Yorkers to stay off the roads and give space for our teams to spread salt and do the rest of their important work getting the city moving,” he said. 

 

The City’s Sanitation Department officials said the agency was also pre-deploying salt spreaders to pretreat roadways and will dispatch more than 2,000 plows when more than two inches of snow accumulates. 

  

Safety Tips  

• Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation.  
• If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.  
• Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement. 
• Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.  
• Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult. Older adults should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls from icy conditions.  
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections. 
• Wear layers including a hat, gloves/mittens, and a scarf to stay protected from the cold. And keep clothes and shoes dry, if a layer becomes wet, remove it.
• Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered if you go outside. 

 

Alternate side parking regulations are suspended through Saturday, Feb. 5.