January 17, 2026

Salt Spreaders already active across the City addressing Saturday conditions; plows ready to go if needed

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has issued a Snow Alert for Sunday, January 18 beginning at 4:00 a.m. A Snow Alert is the Department’s “higher level” snow-fighting notification, as opposed to the “lower level” Winter Operations Advisory.

Precipitation is expected to fall in multiple distinct bands ranging from early morning to late night on Sunday. Much of the City saw snow today as well, and salt spreaders are already active addressing these conditions on every street, highway, and bike lane. That work will continue through tonight and tomorrow, and plows will be prepared and ready to go in any neighborhood that sees roadway accumulation of two inches or more. Forecasts suggest a 10% chance of localized accumulation of four inches or more, and DSNY is ready if this comes to pass.

The Department has approximately 700 million pounds of salt on hand. DSNY will activate its GPS room — featuring the new Bladerunner 2.0 tracking operation — this evening to track salting operations.

There is no anticipated change to the collection schedule, and New Yorkers should continue to follow their regular schedule for trash, recycling, and compostable material unless otherwise notified. Residents should be reminded that in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19, there will be NO trash, curbside composting nor recycling collection on the holiday. Residents who normally receive Monday trash, curbside composting, or recycling collection may place their material at the curb Monday evening for collection beginning Tuesday, January 20. Residents should understand collection delays may occur after holidays, especially when winter weather is also a factor.

New Yorkers should know: DSNY is working to ensure your safety. Do your part both for yourself and for the Strongest by staying off the roads during active precipitation or, if you absolutely must drive, by doing so slowly, safely and carefully.

In a snow event, New York City’s Sanitation Workers cover our streets, highways and bike lanes, but all residents should remember that clearing snow from sidewalks is the property owners’ responsibility. Property owners must do their part to make sure that the sidewalks are passable.

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/snow 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.

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.

When a plowable depth of 2″ or more is reached, residents will be able to 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

There is no change to DSNY collection or to bin requirements at this time. Delays are possible following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.

Snow Clearing Information

While DSNY clears streets and bike lanes, property owners are responsible for clearing sidewalks. As a reminder, property owners and car owners 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.

Property owners with Empire Bins are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the Empire Bin to facilitate collection.

The fine for failure to clear sidewalks is $100 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $250 for the third offense.

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 email alerts about severe weather events and emergencies. To sign up for NotifyNYC, call 311, visit nyc.gov/notify or follow @NotifyNYC.

Press Release #26-05