New York City public schools to close monday amid snowstorm

Mayor Mamdani said that while the city is legally required to provide 180 days of schooling each year, a waiver was granted by the state education commissioner to allow for the snow day, reported by The New York Times.

“To all the children across New York City, you have a very serious mission if you choose to accept it: stay cozy,” he added.

Forecasters predict 16 to 24 inches of snow, with the storm’s most intense period expected between Sunday night and midday Monday. This will be the city’s first traditional snow day of the winter. On January 26, schools held remote learning, but that did not affect middle or high school students, as those grades were already scheduled to be off.

Monday was originally planned as the first day back from midwinter recess for city public school students. A State of Emergency has been declared, and city services beyond schools are expected to be impacted as the storm moves in.

Travel restrictions will be in place from 9 p.m. Sunday through noon Monday. City bridges, streets, and highways will be closed to traffic, with only essential and emergency travel allowed, including bicycles.

NYC Ferry service will end at 5 p.m. Sunday and resume late Monday morning. Staten Island Ferry will operate hourly from midnight to 6 a.m., then every 30 minutes starting at 6 a.m. Citi Bike service will shut down at 8 p.m. Sunday.

City libraries will be closed Monday, and alternate side parking rules will be suspended.