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New York woke up this morning feeling less like December and more like the Arctic, as real-feel temperatures hovered around 0 degrees across the city. After the first substantial snowfall of the season over the weekend, a blast of bitter wind and plunging temperatures turned sidewalks, streets and morning commutes into a deep-freeze reality check.
According to the National Weather Service, this is the coldest day in the current stretch of winter weather, following the city’s most significant early-season snowfall since 2019. While the thermometer may technically sit in the teens, wind chills are dragging conditions down to near-zero territory, with gusts topping 20 mph in some areas.
City officials are urging New Yorkers to take the cold seriously. NYC Emergency Management warned of “dangerous, life-threatening conditions” for anyone without proper winter gear or reliable heat indoors. Frostbite can develop quickly on exposed skin, especially in high winds, and hypothermia becomes a real risk if you’re wet or underdressed.
Latest weather update: Temperatures remain below or near freezing today through Wednesday morning. Morning wind chills near 10 degrees. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph ease after 4 pm. Highs stay in the upper 20s, with lows in the low 20s tonight
— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) December 15, 2025
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The Department of Sanitation has been out salting roads and highways since early Monday morning. Still, officials say drivers and pedestrians should stay alert for slick spots, especially on bridges, overpasses and shaded side streets where melting snow has refrozen overnight. Black ice is the primary concern now that fresh snowfall has cleared.
Alternate side parking rules are suspended today for snow removal, though parking meters remain in effect. If your heat or hot water isn’t working and your landlord isn’t fixing it, the city says to call 311. You can also contact 311 to request outreach for someone who may need shelter and 911 for weather-related emergencies.
Despite the brutal start, relief is on the way. Tuesday will still be cold, with wind chills in the teens and 20s, but temperatures are expected to climb steadily through the week. By Wednesday and Thursday, highs should reach the 30s and 40s—and even flirt with the 50s by Friday. The next chance of precipitation arrives late Thursday into Friday, but warmer air means it will be rain, not snow.
Winter has arrived and it’s starting right at zero.