DSNY Issues Snow Alert for Monday, January 15, 2024, Beginning at 6 p.m.

January 15, 2024

Alert continues until 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 16

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Monday, January 15, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m. The alert is in effect through 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 16.

Based on current forecasts, 1-4” of snow is possible, although the forecast is subject to change. Precipitation is expected to begin as early as 6 p.m. Monday and last as late as 6 p.m. Tuesday. 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 more than 700 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, the Department expects no more than limited impacts to trash collection as DSNY pivots to address this storm.

As conditions will be cold and dry before the storm, brine is already being deployed on high spots, highways, and areas prone to icing. The full fleet of nearly 800 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.

More than 2,000 of the Department’s collection trucks will be turned into snow plows beginning at 7 p.m. tonight, and these plows will be activated when a “plowable depth” of 2” of snow is reached.

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.

Trash/Recycling Collection:

Trash collection had been previously suspended today due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Residents who receive Monday collection may put their material out for collection tonight as previously directed; all other residents should follow their regular schedule. Due to recent investments in DSNY’s headcount, only very limited and sporadic delays are expected in this storm.

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.