DSNY Issues Snow Alert for Saturday, January 6, 2024, Beginning at 1 p.m.

January 5, 2024

Alert continues until 8 p.m. Sunday, January 7

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Saturday, January 6, 2024, beginning at 1 p.m. The alert is in effect through 8 p.m. Sunday, January 7.

Based on current forecasts, 1 to 3” of slush or wet snow is possible, although the forecast is subject to change. Precipitation is expected to begin as early as 1 p.m. Saturday, likely starting as rain or slush. The highest chance for accumulating snow is overnight Saturday into Sunday. All winter weather information and information about the City’s response to the storm can be found by visiting the City’s Severe Weather website at nyc.gov/severeweather or by calling 311.

In a Snow Alert, the Department coordinates with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocol in accordance with each agency’s written snow plan. All relevant city agencies have been notified of the Snow Alert.

Operations Update

While it has been 690 days since New York City received more than an inch of snow, the Department’s Workers and equipment are more prepared for winter weather than ever before. With the highest uniformed headcount in about two decades heading into this winter, there will be no impacts to trash collection as DSNY pivots to address this storm.

The full fleet of over 700 salt spreaders will be positioned and ready to operate starting as soon as the first precipitation falls, and the Department is fully stocked with over 700 million pounds of salt.

Every street is on a route, and unlike in past years, every route can be dispatched at the same time, bringing equity in snow clearance to the entire City. Thanks to historic investments in DSNY, bike lanes will also be serviced simultaneously alongside car lanes. DSNY will be tracking these operations via the new Bladerunner 2.0 platform.

The forecast indicates that this is not an appropriate event for the use of brine.

While a “plowable depth” of two inches of snow is highly unlikely, more than 2,000 of the Department’s collection trucks will be turned into snow plows if needed.

Trash/Recycling Collection:

No delays to collection are anticipated at this time, neither for Saturday nor Monday. Residents may put material out at the curb following their normal schedule.

Alternate Side Parking

Alternate Side Parking regulations are already cancelled Saturday, January 6 due to Three Kings’ Day. Parking meters will remain in effect.

Guidance for Open Restaurants

Open Restaurants roadway dining may operate as normal during this snow event if the business owner deems it is safe to do so. To prevent damage from the weight of snow, restaurants should remove the tops of structures if possible or regularly clear snow off, without putting it back into the street. Restaurant owners may find additional information to prepare their spaces for snow at https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/openrestaurants.shtml.

Snow Clearing Information

While DSNY clears streets and bike lanes, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks. As a reminder, property owners, including restaurants with outdoor dining structures, may NOT push snow into the street, including bike lanes. This impedes snow clearing operations and is illegal. Snow may be moved against the building, to the curb line, or areas on private property. Sidewalks should be passable for all pedestrians, including a minimum 4-foot clear path, where possible.

If the snow stops falling between:

7 a.m. and 5 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 4 hours
5 p.m. and 9 p.m., property owners must clear sidewalks within 14 hours
9 p.m. and 7 a.m., property owners must clear sidewalks by 11 a.m.

New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for NotifyNYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, available in 14 languages including ASL. Through NotifyNYC, New Yorkers can sign up to receive phone calls, text messages, and emails alerts about severe weather events and emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit nyc.gov/notify or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

Find information on Sanitation snow operations along with residents’ responsibilities during and after snow at nyc.gov/snow.

pressoffice@dsny.nyc.gov