The models are aligning.
A massive winter storm is expected to drop up to 12 inches of snow on New York City Sunday into Monday, threatening to shut down parts of the five boroughs in what will be the biggest test of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration to date.
The mayor, who took office earlier this month, was asked about storm preparedness at an unrelated press conference Thursday morning. Regarding schools, he said, “We are working to do everything we can to keep our schools open.”
A day ago, Mamdani was questioned about the potential for school closures, given preliminary snow predictions for the city.
Asked if he’d consider an old-school snow day, meaning no school, rather than the remote learning the city pivoted to during the pandemic, Mamdani said, “I knew this moment would come.”
By now you’ve heard. There’s a major snow event on the way. It’s too early to predict potential accumulation in the NYC metro area — but that doesn’t mean the city isn’t making the necessary preparations. That includes schools… could they get a traditional snow day? nyc snow weather
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“We are taking every single precaution that we can,” he added. “Right now, the spectrum of possibilities is large. As that gets closer to the date, we’ll be able to share more about what New Yorkers should be looking for.
“But what about the snow day?”
Mamdani laughed and said, “Well, that depends on what I’ve just said.”
The nation’s largest school district ended its traditional snow day system when it began the 2022-23 school year. Rather than cancel school for the day, district officials implemented the remote learning system that the city developed and utilized throughout the pandemic.
It has not been without issue.
The mayor, at Wednesday’s press conference, also pledged clear and regular communication to New Yorkers on storm prep and response. Additional information is expected later Thursday.