The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Tuesday, February 13 beginning at 3:00 am. The alert is in effect through 7:00 pm, February 13.
Based on current forecasts, 5-8 inches of snow are possible, although the forecast is subject to change. Precipitation is expected to begin as rain, with snow expected to mix in starting around 4 a.m. before turning to all snow around 7 a.m.
Beginning on the midnight shift, Sanitation Workers will put salt on every street, highway and bike lane in the City, and will be prepared to plow as soon as accumulations hit 2” or more. The operation will continue until all streets are clear, which will likely be hours after snowfall ends. 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.
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.
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 Tuesday, February 13. 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.