Polar Vortex To Bring Frigid Temps & Snow to NYC; Commuters Brace for Disruptions

Polar Vortex To Bring Frigid Temps & Snow to NYC; Commuters Brace for Disruptions

Edited by: Fern Sidman

An icy winter storm driven by a powerful polar vortex is set to hit the New York City metropolitan area on Monday, delivering between 1 to 3 inches of snow and creating hazardous conditions for commuters. According to a report on Sunday in The New York Post, the snowfall is expected to start early in the morning, intensify by noon, and peak during the evening rush hour, posing significant challenges for travel across the region.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams took to X on Sunday to caution residents about the upcoming storm. “Be careful going outside, and take it slow if you’re driving,” he wrote, as reported by The New York Post. The mayor assured residents that city snow crews will be deployed to keep streets and public spaces as clear as possible. Despite the moderate snow totals forecasted, Mayor Adams emphasized the severe cold accompanying the storm, warning that frigid temperatures would make conditions even more challenging.

Forecasters cited by The New York Post predict that snow will begin lightly during the early morning commute but will grow heavier by midday, significantly impacting the evening rush hour. Temperatures are not expected to rise above the low 30s throughout Monday, with morning and evening temperatures dipping into the 20s. These cold conditions, exacerbated by icy winds from the polar vortex, will linger through the week, making this storm part of an extended stretch of winter weather.

While snow accumulations are estimated to range between 1 and 3 inches, The New York Post report highlighted meteorologists from Fox Weather suggesting that totals in New York City will likely lean closer to the 1-inch mark. This forecast applies to the broader metro area, including northern New Jersey and Long Island. However, areas north of the city, such as the Hudson Valley and Connecticut, are expected to see a wintry mix rather than significant snowfall.

The report in The New York Post detailed the origins of this winter blast, explaining how the polar vortex—a mass of frigid air descending from the Arctic—has fueled a sprawling storm system. Over the weekend, this same weather pattern blanketed large portions of the central United States, from Kansas and Missouri to Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, with snow, ice, and sub-freezing temperatures. While the New York City area will avoid the storm’s most severe impacts, southern New Jersey, particularly from Toms River southward, could see accumulations exceeding 8 inches.

Meteorologists speaking to The New York Post warned that this cold snap will not be short-lived. Forecasters predict that January temperatures will remain stubbornly low, with morning lows in the low to mid-20s and daytime highs struggling to exceed the low 30s. These frigid conditions are expected to persist throughout the month, offering little respite from winter’s icy grip.

“We’ll be waking up each morning with lows somewhere in the low to mid-20s and then ‘warming up’ into the low to mid-30s,” a Fox Weather meteorologist told The New York Post. They added that while a brief temperature spike into the upper 30s might occur later in the month, such warmth would be fleeting and still cold by most standards.

As per the information provided in The New York Post report, the current storm and polar vortex represent a sharp departure from the mild temperatures enjoyed at the end of December when the mercury briefly climbed into the 40s. For the foreseeable future, the city will remain locked in a deep freeze, with icy conditions and intermittent snowfall complicating daily life for millions of residents.

Mayor Adams’ warnings and the deployment of snow crews call attention to the seriousness of the situation. The report in The New York Post urged New Yorkers to exercise caution during their Monday commutes, prepare for potential delays, and dress warmly against the biting cold. As the city prepares for this polar plunge, it’s clear that winter has firmly settled over the region, with no signs of retreat in the coming weeks.