NYC Travel Ban, Snow Day & Blizzard Warning: Everything New Yorkers Need to Know Right Now
A potentially historic NYC blizzard is battering the five boroughs tonight, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani has declared a state of emergency for all of New York City. A NYC travel ban is now in effect, NYC public schools are closed Monday, and the entire region is being urged to stay indoors as a powerful nor'easter dumps up to two feet of snow on the area.
NYC Travel Ban: Hours, Rules & Penalties
The NYC travel ban began at 9 p.m. Sunday and will end at noon Monday, ET. All city streets, highways, bridges and tunnels are closed to non-emergency vehicular traffic. Most vehicle traffic — including commercial trucks, electric bicycles, scooters and mopeds — is prohibited during the ban. Violations are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Travel Ban Start | 9:00 PM ET, Sunday Feb. 22 |
| Travel Ban End | 12:00 PM ET, Monday Feb. 23 |
| Applies To | All five NYC boroughs |
| Exemptions | Emergency vehicles, essential workers |
| Penalty | Class B misdemeanor |
NYC Snow Day Monday: Are NYC Schools Closed?
Yes — NYC public schools are closed Monday. Mayor Mamdani announced that NYC public school students will have a full snow day on Monday, with no in-person classes and no remote learning. The state granted a waiver to allow the traditional NYC snow day, the first of its kind since 2019, because a travel ban is in effect and students and staff are unlikely to have the equipment needed for a remote learning day.
NYC Snow Forecast: How Much Snow Are We Getting?
The latest NYC snow forecast shows 12–18 inches expected for the city, central New Jersey and Nassau County, with some areas farther out on Long Island potentially seeing as much as two feet. Forecasters warn up to 4 inches of snow per hour is possible at peak intensity. Parts of New Jersey could see 20–30 inches total, making this a potentially historic NJ weather event as well.
| Zone | Expected Snow Total |
|---|---|
| New York City | 12–18 inches |
| Long Island (outer) | Up to 24 inches |
| New Jersey | 20–30 inches |
| Nassau County | 12–18 inches |
MTA Service During the NYC Blizzard
The MTA advises customers to check MTA.info or the MTA app for subway and bus updates before traveling. Most subway lines will continue local service and scheduled track work has been suspended. Longer accordion-style buses have been replaced with standard 40-foot buses equipped with chained wheels, and bus service may be adjusted based on road conditions. LIRR trains are suspending overnight service, with last trains leaving around 11 p.m. NJ Transit is suspending bus and light rail services by 6 p.m., with train service weather-dependent. Staten Island and NYC ferries discontinued service starting at 5 p.m. Sunday and will restart late Monday morning.
State of Emergency: NY and NJ
New York and New Jersey each declared a state of emergency, with governors Kathy Hochul and Mikie Sherrill urging residents to avoid travel due to potentially life-threatening winter weather conditions. The NYC state of emergency also suspends Alternate Side Parking for Monday, Feb. 23, and directs city agencies to monitor and enforce against price gouging. New York is under a blizzard warning for the first time in nearly a decade.
What Comes After the NYC Blizzard
Mayor Mamdani cautioned that conditions could remain dangerous even after the storm passes Monday afternoon. Daytime temperatures slipping above freezing followed by overnight lows dropping to the low 20s will cause snowfall to melt then refreeze, resulting in dangerously icy sidewalks and streets citywide. Older adults should stay indoors, avoid shoveling, and take steps to prevent slips and falls. A Code Blue is in effect, meaning no one will be turned away from city shelters. The city has deployed 22 warming buses across all five boroughs.
