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DSNY Issues Snow Alert for Friday, February 16, 2024, beginning at 10:00 PM

February 16, 2024

Alert continues until 10:00 AM, February 17.

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Friday, February 16, 2024, beginning at 10:00 PM. The alert is in effect through 10:00 AM February 17.

Based on current forecasts, 1-2 inches of accumulation are expected, with a small outside chance of up to 4 inches in southern portions of the City. Precipitation will begin as snow as early as 10:00 PM, with temperatures dropping below freezing in the early morning hours, likely between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM. Substantial precipitation is expected to end Saturday morning.

Thousands of Sanitation Workers plowed and salted the City during a separate storm earlier this week, and New York's Strongest are prepared to take on this weather event as well. As part of the Adams administration's commitment to providing quality of life services to every part of the City, Sanitation Workers will pre-salt certain "high spots," side streets, and bike lanes – areas prone to accumulation that had not always received the attention they needed under past administrations – hours before the first flake falls. When precipitation begins, the Department will deploy over 700 Salt Spreaders to salt on every street, highway and bike lane in the City.

While a plowable accumulation of 2" or more is not likely on the City's roadways, the Department is staffed and equipped to plow if necessary. Remember that a plowed street does not show blacktop right away.

While the Department's Sanitation Workers cover our streets, highways, and bike lanes, clearing snow from sidewalks is the property owners' responsibility. The Department reminds all property owners to do their part to make sure that the sidewalks are passable.

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.

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.

Operations Update

Thanks to historic investments in DSNY, the Department’s Workers and equipment are more prepared for winter weather than ever before.

The full fleet of more than 700 salt spreaders will begin to operate before the first precipitation falls, and the Department is fully stocked with salt. More than 2,000 of the Department’s collection trucks will be turned into snow plows, 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.

Residents may track the progress of DSNY snow removal vehicles at nyc.gov/PlowNYC. Remember, a plowed or salted street will not show blacktop right away.

Trash/Recycling Collection

Collection will not occur during initial snow operations, however, residents may follow their regular set out schedule. Collection will resume as soon as conditions and operations allow. As a reminder, Monday, January 19th, is also a holiday, and collection guidance for residents with Monday collection can be seen here.

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 am and 5 pm, property owners must clear sidewalks within 4 hours
  • 5 pm and 9 pm, property owners must clear sidewalks within 14 hours
  • 9 pm and 7 am, property owners must clear sidewalks by 11 am

The fine for failure to clear sidewalks is $100 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $250 for the third offense.

Alternate Side Parking

Alternate Side Parking regulations are cancelled Saturday, February 17. Parking meters will remain in effect.

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.