New York City has been hit hard by an unusually long period of freezing weather, claiming the lives of 18 people as residents and officials grapple with ongoing safety challenges.
The city has endured days of bitter cold since late January, including a stretch of 13 days where temperatures stayed at or below 0C, marking one of the most severe cold spells in decades.
Zohran Mamdani, the city’s mayor, reported that the latest fatality occurred over the past weekend. “Each life lost is a tragedy, and we will continue to hold their families in our thoughts,” he said, urging New Yorkers to remain vigilant as the city continues to manage the effects of the freeze.
While temperatures are expected to climb slightly in the coming days, they remain below the seasonal average. Mamdani cautioned residents to “stay safe, stay indoors... [and] keep looking out for one another,” highlighting the continued risks posed by the lingering cold.
Since the Code Blue emergency was declared on January 19, which eased entry rules at homeless shelters, about 1,400 people have been moved indoors for protection from the elements.
The city also added 64 hotel rooms to support the shelter system and deployed at least 150 additional outreach workers to reach those living on the streets.
Earlier updates indicated that at least 10 of the victims were found outside, though the circumstances surrounding the other deaths are still being investigated.
Mamdani emphasized the city’s commitment to public safety: “We have been working hard to keep New Yorkers safe, and we will continue to do so. Because it is not forecast to be above 32 degrees [Fahrenheit] until tomorrow, and 35 degrees is hardly balmy weather.”
The National Weather Service reported that temperatures are expected to reach around 0C this week, slightly higher than the record lows of recent days. Normally, highs this time of year hover around 4C. An Arctic air mass caused dangerous wind chills over the weekend, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia for anyone outdoors.
The 13-day streak of sub-zero temperatures ended briefly on Friday when readings climbed just above 0C, ending one of the longest cold stretches in New York City since 1963.
The city’s Emergency Management agency warned that hazards persist, with melting snow and ice capable of falling from buildings and streets likely to refreeze overnight, creating additional threats for pedestrians and motorists alike.
