A powerful winter storm that began Friday evening and continued into the midday hours of Saturday brought over 4 inches snow to New York City and heavier totals in surrounding areas, snarling travel and prompting local advisories as residents dug out from the post-holiday blast. The storm, driven by cold air and sustained bands of snow, delivered the most significant snowfall in New York City since early 2022 and disrupted travel plans throughout the Tri-State region.
Snow began falling across the city around 5:30 p.m. Friday, with most accumulation occurring overnight into early Saturday as the storm tracked over the Northeast. By midday Saturday the snow had tapered off, leaving behind a blanket of white and slick, icy surfaces on streets and sidewalks.
In Central Park, official observations recorded about 4.3 inches of snow by 7 a.m. Saturday, marking the highest total from a single storm there since January 2022. Similar amounts were reported in parts of the Bronx and other boroughs, with many neighborhoods seeing 3 to 4 inches as snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain lowered overall totals.
While New York City’s snowfall was notable, the storm delivered heavier amounts outside the city. Across northern and eastern Long Island, several spots saw 5 to nearly 7 inches, and in parts of Suffolk County totals approached 7 inches, with some areas even higher. In Connecticut and the Hudson Valley, snowfall was more substantial, with many towns reporting 6 to 9 inches, and isolated measurements near 9 or 10 inches in parts of western Connecticut.
In New Jersey, totals were generally lower, with 2 to 4 inches in many northern locations, though accumulations were sufficient to create hazardous conditions on untreated roads.
The storm’s timing compounded its impact. Falling during a stretch when many New Yorkers were traveling or returning home from holiday trips, the snow and subsequent ice created slick roads and slippery conditions, prompting travel advisories from the city and state. Airports in the region reported flight delays and cancellations, with Northeast hubs like JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark seeing widespread disruption as airlines scrambled to adjust schedules.
Within the city, the Department of Sanitation deployed plows and salt trucks throughout the night and into Saturday, and alternate side parking rules were temporarily suspended to facilitate quicker snow removal. Emergency Management officials urged residents to exercise caution on streets and to allow extra travel time as clean up continued.
Temperatures remained below freezing throughout the event, and with snow and sleet lingering on surfaces, icy patches persisted even after snowfall ended, contributing to slow travel and the potential for slips and minor accidents on sidewalks and roads.
