According to a report from the National Weather Service, a strong Polar Vortex is set to sweep across the United States from the Midwest to the East Coast next week, bringing the strongest cold air to New York City since the beginning of winter. Snowfall is expected on Sunday, with temperatures rapidly dropping at the beginning of the week, possibly plummeting to single digits Fahrenheit.
This week, New York City has been experiencing persistently low temperatures, with a brief warm-up expected on Friday and Saturday reaching around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, influenced by a cold front, a significant snowfall is predicted for Sunday and Monday, particularly in the afternoon to night on Sunday when there could be a mix of rain and snow, transitioning to accumulating snowfall late at night.
Temperatures are expected to rapidly drop to the low 20s Fahrenheit by Sunday night, with continued decrease on Monday and Tuesday, as a strong cold front envelops the greater New York area. Tuesday is anticipated to be the coldest day of the week, with temperatures reaching only around 18 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to below 10 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has warned of moderate-level dangerous low temperatures in the middle of next week. While temperatures may slightly ease over the weekend, they are projected to drop again starting from Monday, reaching the lowest point on Tuesday. It is expected that temperatures will only begin to rise closer to normal levels around the following weekend.
The New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) has issued a Cold Weather Alert due to the persistent low temperatures and the upcoming dangerous cold spell. According to forecasts, the wind chill on Tuesday (21st) may make it feel as low as minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately minus 21.6 degrees Celsius), and under the impact of wind chill, the actual feel-like temperature in some periods in New York City could even drop below zero Fahrenheit. This cold snap is expected to last for over 48 hours, with the feel-like temperatures in Central Park likely remaining in the single digits or even lower for an extended period.
In preparation for the extreme low temperatures, the New York City Department of Homeless Services (NYCDHS) has issued a Code Blue alert. As per the warning issued by the city government, outreach teams in all five boroughs will intensify their efforts to search for and assist the homeless in accessing shelters during the cold spell. No homeless person in need of shelter will be turned away; the city also urges residents to call 311 or use mobile applications if they spot someone who appears to need assistance, so that outreach workers can provide support promptly.
With the impending extreme weather conditions, meteorological agencies and various city departments are urging the public to take precautions against the cold: avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, check that home heating and pipes are in working order, monitor the wind chill index and dress warmly. If venturing outside is necessary, wear extra layers of warm clothing, closely monitor weather changes and traffic conditions to ensure a safe passage through this intense cold snap.