New Yorkers scrambled Saturday to snap up last minute essentials as arctic air gripped Gotham ahead of Snowpocalyse 2026, and the mayor warned everyone to just stay inside
“If you can avoid it, do not drive. Do not travel. Do not do anything that could potentially place you or your loved ones in danger. Instead, I urge every New Yorker who can to put a warm sweater on. Turn on the TV. Watch “Mission Impossible” for the 10th time. Above all, to stay inside,” Mayor Mamdani said before noon, as the temps hovered around just 13 degrees.
The mayor — who felt the heat for saying city school kids would not be getting a snow day, even as Winter Storm Fern looms — warned it will be colder next week than any sustained period in NYC in about eight years.
As much as 14 inches of snow is predicted to blanket the Big Apple this weekend. AFP via Getty Images
A bulletin warning motorists to avoid travel in preparation for major Winter Storm Fern as seen on an electronic sign on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens, New York, on Jan. 23, 2026. Christopher Sadowski
“But New York, whatever comes for it, the city is ready.”
As much as 14 inches are being forecasted to blanket the five boroughs by Monday, the highest snow total since 2021.
“We got everything, food, salt, shovels. Absolutely. We have everything ready,” boasted Ahmed Qyed, 64, of lower Manhattan.
“You have to be ready for anything.”
The first flurries are expected around 3 a.m. Sunday and will continue through the day before tapering off midday Monday.
Real feel temperatures reached negative 9 degrees Saturday morning. Guerin Charles/ABACA/Shutterstock
The snowfall could be mixed with sleet, which could affect whether the Big Apple will get the anticipated 1-foot dumping officials are warning about.
“A total for New York City for our forecast is 4 to 8 inches, but if we see more snow rather than a mixed sleet, there’s a chance that that could approach a foot of snow,” explained Glenny.
The National Weather Service, however, projects that as many as 14 inches will blanket the metro area.
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday ahead of the major snowstorm.
People brace the cold temperatures while walking on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Wednesday, Jan. 21. AFP via Getty Images
The mayor emphasized that Sanitation, Parks, Emergency Management, MTA and other departments have already activated severe weather plans and will be on standby overnight.
The city has been preparing for the winter storm, with the DSNY pre-treating the streets starting on Friday, with Mamdani saying the department evaluated prior 311 calls to target areas that have been neglected in the past.
A woman records the city skyline with her phone, bracing the cold temperatures on the Brooklyn Bridge on Jan. 21. AFP via Getty Images
More than 2,000 DSNY workers working 12-hour shifts will begin salting the streets as soon as the snow begins to fall. More than 700 salt spreaders and 2,300 plows will take to the streets throughout the storm.
The FDNY has increased the number of firefighters in every house, and the MTA activated both its Incident Command System and its Emergency Operations Center.
The NYPD is also assisting other agencies, especially EMS to escort ambulance services.
Mamdani had previously activated a Code Blue warning, which is issued ahead of freezing temperatures and loosens homeless shelters’ capacity restrictions to ensure no one is left on the streets overnight.
Empty supermarket shelves as seen in the meat and fruit section of BJ’s Wholesale Club in Paramus, New Jersey, as people panic-buy in preparation for major Winter Storm Fern on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Christopher Sadowski
“No one will be denied. All hospitals, all Department of Homeless Services, drop-in centers and all DHS shelters have a fully open-door policy. This means that we have enough shelter beds available for every single New Yorker in need,” Hizzoner said.
Public schools are preparing to hold classes remotely on Monday.
New Yorkers have been ransacking supermarkets ahead of the monster storm to stock up for what could be a multi-day hunkering down.
If the Big Apple gets at least a foot of snow, it would be the most in the city since February 2021, when 16.8 inches fell in Central Park.