Liputan6.com, Jakarta - January 2026 was a challenging month for New York City residents, with a series of significant snow events hitting the city.
This culminated in a powerful winter storm on January 25th, bringing heavy snow and extreme temperatures, disrupting daily activities and prompting snow warnings from local authorities.
Advertisement
These extreme weather conditions not only impacted air transportation but also forced adjustments to education systems across the city.
This winter storm was part of a larger weather system that swept across much of the United States, bringing a crippling combination of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Ohio Valley and the mid-South to New England.
Severe Snow Storm Hits New York
On Sunday, January 25, 2026, New York City faced a significant winter storm, prompting the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to issue a Snow Warning beginning at 1:00 a.m.
Initial forecasts indicated snow accumulations of between 9 and 12 inches (about 22 and 30 cm) across much of the city, making it the first prolonged winter storm in approximately five years.
Approximately 2,000 sanitation workers were deployed in 12-hour shifts to ensure effective snow management.
Snow plowing began when snowfall reached two inches, estimated at 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also took proactive measures by deploying National Guard troops to New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley to assist with storm response efforts.
The storm's impact was felt widely, causing the cancellation of more than 11,000 flights across the United States, including at major airports such as New York, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, which recorded at least 80% of Sunday's total flight cancellations.
Observed snowfall on January 25, 2026, showed significant accumulations in various locations:
- Central Park: 10.6 inches (approximately 26.9 cm)
- LaGuardia: 9.4 inches (approximately 23.9 cm)
- JFK: 8.3 inches (approximately 21.1 cm)
- Islip, N.Y.: 7.0 inches (approximately 17.8 cm)
- Newark, N.J.: 10.8 inches (approximately 27.4 cm)
- Bridgeport, Conn.: 14.5 inches (approximately 36.8 cm)
In response to these extreme weather conditions, New York City public schools have decided to hold classes remotely on Monday, January 26.
Continued Snow and Extreme Cold Conditions in New York
Following a major storm on January 25, snow continued in parts of New York on Monday, January 26, 2026, particularly in the Catskills region.
Although snow accumulations there exceeded the official measurement of 8 inches (about 20.3 cm) due to winds, snowfall intensity is expected to be lighter than the previous day.
Temperatures remain very cold, reaching around 14 degrees Fahrenheit (about -10 degrees Celsius), but winds are expected to be calmer, ranging from 5 to 10 mph.Prior to the major storm, New York also experienced extreme cold on January 19, 2026.
Temperatures were forecast to drop to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), with a perceived temperature reaching 23 degrees Fahrenheit (about -5 degrees Celsius).
The National Weather Service issued a warning for these conditions, where the squall blizzard brought brief near-whiteout conditions, a rapid drop in temperatures, and strong winds.
Many locations experienced wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph, with some isolated areas reaching 55 mph.
Total snow accumulations were generally under an inch (about 2.5 cm), with the exception of eastern Long Island and southeastern Connecticut, which saw 1-3 inches (about 2.5-7.6 cm) of snow.
Average Snow Conditions in New York in January
Generally, New York City's weather in January is known for being very cold, with average temperatures ranging from 24°F (-4°C) to 33°F (0.5°C).
January often brings a varied mix of weather, ranging from heavy snow and torrential rain to piercing cold winds from the mainland or warmer winds from the ocean.
In a month, New York City can experience between 3 and 8 rainy days, and several snowy days. The monthly average is 13 sunny days, 6 cloudy days, 4 rainy days, and 4 snowy days.
January is also the month with the fewest wet days in New York City, with an average of 7.3 days with at least 1 millimeter of precipitation.
The 31-day sliding average snowfall for January in New York City showed an increase, from 123 millimeters (about 4.8 inches) at the beginning of the month to 164 millimeters (about 6.5 inches) at the end.
The highest 31-day average accumulation was recorded at about 165 millimeters (about 6.5 inches) on January 25, which coincided with the recent major storm.