New York City Braces for Major Winter Storm as Mayor Mamdani Cancels Traditional Snow Days
New York City is preparing for a significant winter storm this weekend, with forecasts predicting over a foot of snow that could disrupt power, flights, and public transit across the region. This poses an early challenge for newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has made a controversial decision to eliminate traditional snow days for public school students.
Mayor Mamdani's Decision on School Closures
In a statement on NY1 on Friday, Mayor Mamdani announced that Monday will not be a traditional snow day for students. "I know to the disappointment of any student that’s watching this right now, Monday is either going to be a remote learning day or it’s going to be an in-person school day. It’s not going to be a traditional snow day. That is a determination we’ve made," he stated. The city will announce by Sunday whether students are expected to attend classes in person or remotely, allowing authorities to better assess the expected snowfall, which could range from 3 to 16 inches.
Storm Forecast and Impacts
Forecasters warn that the rapidly approaching winter storm could dump as much as 18 inches of snow on the city by Monday, bringing frigid temperatures and creating travel nightmares throughout the tri-state area. Snowfall is forecast to begin early Sunday and persist through Monday, with New York’s Central Park potentially seeing up to 16 inches of snow, marking the heaviest snowfall of the season. If predictions hold, this would be Manhattan’s largest snowstorm since 2021.
According to Brian Hurley, a senior forecaster with the US Weather Prediction Center, the storm is moving into the Northeast and is expected to bring ice to Southern states. Other cities like Washington, Philadelphia, and Boston are also forecast to receive snow.
City Preparations and Student Reactions
Mayor Mamdani explained that the decision aims to balance safety with educational continuity. "If it’s on the lower end, we have full confidence that we can clean our streets such that students can get into school. But we want to give our sanitation department these next few days to see what are we actually looking at," he said. The city’s sanitation trucks were already out early Friday, clearing highways and major streets, with about 2,000 workers scheduled for 12-hour shifts starting Saturday to ensure round-the-clock snow removal.
Mamdani acknowledged that his decision will likely disappoint students, particularly one who went to great lengths to persuade him otherwise. "There’s a student that somehow found my wife’s email. They apparently made some great points. She thought it was a very, very good argument," he added, highlighting the personal appeals he has received.
Broader Implications and Regional Effects
This storm system threatens widespread disruption across the Northeast, with potential impacts on:
- Power grids and utility services
- Flight operations at major airports
- Public transit systems including subways and buses
- Road conditions and highway safety
As the city braces for this early winter challenge, Mayor Mamdani's approach sets a precedent for how urban centers might handle severe weather events in an era of increased remote learning capabilities. The decision reflects a shift away from traditional snow days, emphasizing continuity in education despite adverse conditions.
