Snow is expected to arrive by early Sunday, but the city is already feeling the strain. As Mayor Zohran Mamdani prepares for his first major storm in office, transit agencies are deploying de-icing trains, homeless sweeps have been halted without a clear replacement plan, and parents are weighing mixed messages as schools remain open despite worsening forecasts. At the same time, labor disputes continue to simmer, a new Midtown men’s shelter moves forward under scrutiny, and small businesses are facing rising costs that threaten their survival. With the storm still hours away, New York enters the day not in crisis, but in a narrow window where decisions made now will shape how hard the city is hit.

Today’s Forecast

Cloudy, frigid, and tense as NYC waits for the blizzard to arrive. Temperatures will hover around 10 degrees for much of the day, with sustained winds and gusts pushing up to 30–33 mph, driving wind chills down near -9°. Snow is not expected to begin until early Sunday morning, leaving today dry but punishingly cold. Conditions will deteriorate quickly overnight as the storm moves in, today is the last window to prepare before travel becomes difficult and visibility drops.

Share

What’s Moving Today

Mayor Mamdani will hold a storm press briefing today to confirm the city’s readiness as heavy snowfall bears down. Schools remain open, after the mayor rejected a proposed snow day closure, saying the city’s systems are prepared to function amid the storm. The decision is expected to face scrutiny from parents and educators concerned by conflicting safety messages, as state officials also warned residents to “stay home.”

Meanwhile, the City Council is demanding clarity from the mayor’s office on the policy future of homeless encampments following his decision to immediately stop sweep operations. The move has met with both praise and skepticism, with council members asking how the administration will rehouse or support unsheltered New Yorkers, especially in extreme weather conditions. As temperatures drop, this lack of plan detail is drawing urgent attention.

The city’s redistricting process could also gain speed this week, as pressure mounts to reshape electoral boundaries following legal and voter advocacy efforts. If the NY11 congressional district is redrawn, it will likely reshape Staten Island’s role in competitive races. Observers are watching closely for city and state commission updates, though no hearings are scheduled yet.

On the Streets

With the storm set to intensify through Monday evening, the MTA says the subway system will remain operational, deploying heat-powered de-icing trains, including vintage Redbird models, throughout the day to keep third rails clear. Agency Chair Janno Lieber stated operations staff are “fully mobilized” to prevent a system freeze, but warns riders to expect slower service and sporadic outages during peak hours.

Air travel has also been affected, as the FAA issued advisories warning of cascading delays at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. Flights are not canceled at the time of publishing, but travelers should prepare for schedule disruptions and remain in close contact with their airlines.

In a moment of humanity amid transit concerns, an MTA bus driver helped deliver a baby early Friday morning, pulling over to assist in a spontaneous birth and calling medics to the scene. The healthy newborn and mother were transported to a Brooklyn hospital. Though exceptional, the event underscores how everyday systems carry New Yorkers through all manner of unexpected scenes.

Under Pressure

Health leaders warn that pregnant patients, older adults, and ER triage procedures are being impacted the most, especially as winter illness rates climb and transportation issues limit access to care. Some outpatient visits are being diverted to urgent care centers while hospitals reallocate available personnel.

In a separate strain on the child welfare system, recent reports reveal that genetic data from over 20,000 U.S. children, some of them in NYC’s foster system, had been misused under national data-sharing partnerships and external research programs. City family advocates are seeking guidance on how the data will be protected going forward amid broader ethical scrutiny.

Small business owners across New York are also contending with a surge in car insurance costs, which some say is pushing them toward closure. Industry data shows rates have nearly doubled for commercial vehicles over the past two years, affecting everything from florists to transportation firms. City and state officials are working on aid measures, including municipal subsidies and back-end financing options, but no formal package has been rolled out.

Money & Leverage

Rising costs and shifting housing moves challenge city residents

Starting today, NYC’s new tipping rule for food delivery goes into effect, reshaping how digital platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash notify consumers about tipping. The regulation, part of the city’s expanding worker protections ordinance, requires apps to show clear, upfront language explaining how much of a tip goes to each worker. Delivery platforms will also face increased fines if they misrepresent tip distribution.

At the same time, the city is moving ahead with the development of a new 200-bed men’s shelter on First Avenue. The shelter is slated to open near Midtown and will prioritize placements for unhoused men facing mental health challenges or coming out of shelter backlogs. Some elected officials and community groups are questioning the timeline and impact on surrounding neighborhoods, but city services cite urgent demand and weather risks as primary drivers.

On the broader housing front, Congress approved an unexpected boost to housing aid despite national political divisions, potentially delivering hundreds of millions in new funds for NYCHA repairs and voucher programs. Details of how much New York will receive are still emerging, but local housing advocates say federal movement will relieve some pressure from underfunded city programs.

Separately, a major New York City landlord has filed for bankruptcy, leading to legal back-and-forth between city housing lawyers and creditors. While the city attempted to intervene citing tenant vulnerabilities and building code violations, a judge ruled that much of the restructuring will proceed under federal Chapter 11 oversight, potentially limiting local input.

Still Developing

A Bronx fire tore through a NYCHA building Sunday night, prompting a large response from the FDNY and calls for temporary shelter for dozens of residents. No fatalities were reported, but several residents were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and at least 25 families have been displaced. Investigators are working to determine the cause. The fire revives scrutiny of NYCHA maintenance standards amid winter heating demands.

A viral street altercation involving NYPD officers pinning down a man and using pepper spray has triggered internal reviews but no immediate action beyond standard oversight protocols. Law enforcement officials stated all relevant footage is under review. Community groups have called for transparency, but the NYPD said it would await internal findings before commenting further.

City Life

On the community front, New York saw a cluster of small businesses open their doors over the weekend, ranging from an animal hospital in Yorkville to a new wine bar and bookstore café in Astoria. Despite ongoing economic wariness, these openings point to signs of cultural renewal even in strained conditions.

Grocery stores across the city are being cleared out as shoppers rush to prepare for this weekend’s snowstorm. Forecasts calling for 10–14 inches of snow have prompted widespread stockpiling, with concerns over potential power outages and travel disruptions driving the surge. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and many family-owned grocers have seen heavy foot traffic and thinning shelves, as stores work to keep up with demand ahead of what could be several days of winter disruption.

That’s today in New York.