Snowstorm: NY Schools Likely to Close on Tuesday Because of Major Snowstorm
As New York City braces for record setting snow fall, the city’s mayor Bill de Blasio announced that schools would likely be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.SavePrint
As New York City braces for record setting snow fall, the city’s mayor Bill de Blasio announced that schools would likely be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
The National Weather Service is predicting 11 to 17 inches of snow by Monday night and an additional 10 to 14 inches overnight Tuesday. Wind gusts are expected to be as high as 49 mph on Tuesday.
Try with everything you have to not be in the middle of this storm.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio
Although snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is expected after 9 a.m. on Monday, schools will be open, but all after school activities or trips are canceled.
Road conditions are expected to be treacherous, said de Blasio, and all New Yorkers are encouraged to stay off the roads starting Monday and definitely by Tuesday.
“Try with everything you have to not be in the middle of this storm,” he advised.
The mayor said a final decision on Tuesday’s closing would be announced on Monday.
NYC public schools have remote classes Monday due to winter storm, Mamdani says
By Katie Houlis,
Alexa Herrera
Instead of a snow day, New York City public school students will pivot to remote learning Monday due to the winter storm, the city announced Sunday.
This applies to K-8 students who are scheduled to have school on Monday. High schoolers and some 6-8 grade students are already scheduled to have Monday off for a professional development day. Staff participating will also be remote.
The city is forecast to get at least 8 inches of snow in Sunday’s massive winter storm, which raised concerns about students being able to get to school safely on Monday morning.
“As snowfall begins to blanket our city and conditions become hazardous, closing school buildings is a necessary step to keep New Yorkers safe,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Sunday. “Over the past week, my administration has prepared for this moment – ensuring devices are in hand, families are informed and educators are ready to welcome students online. Our school system, and our city, is prepared to weather this storm together.”
Teachers, students are prepared for remote learning
Mamdani said tens of thousands of students and teachers already logged on in advance of the remote day.
“We have stress-tested systems, sent students home with the materials and technology they need to learn virtually and are working with vendors to ensure that our systems have the capacity they need,” he said.
The last time public schools pivoted to remote learning due to weather, back in February 2024, technical problems left students and teachers unable to log on for hours. At the time, city officials blamed IBM, the company hired by the city to run the remote learning program.
Newly appointed Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels has promised the system will be prepared this time around.
“Over the last several months, our educators have been setting up virtual classrooms, and our I.T. team has been testing the system to ensure our students will be able to log in,” he said Sunday.
“Feel free to throw a snowball at me”
Mamdani confirmed Friday that city public schools would not have a traditional snow day Monday, explaining that the number of holidays in the school calendar doesn’t allow any flexibility for missing a day of class.
New York state law requires students receive 180 days of instruction.
Mamdani acknowledged that not having a day off may be upsetting.
“I know this may disappoint some students, so if you do see me, feel free to throw a snowball at me,” he said.
Samuels said students will have real-time and asynchronous learning, leaving time to play outside.
“Don’t worry. There are many hours in the day,” he said. “You’ll work hard, but there will be time to enjoy the snow.”
Stay with CBS News New York for the latest on the winter storm impacting our area.
Mark Prussin contributed to this report.
Mamdani announces remote school day due to dangerous winter storm conditions
The shift will affect about 500,000 students across more than 1,100 schools
By Ashley Carna
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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said public schools will close on Monday for remote instruction as snowfall begins to blanket the city, citing hazardous weather conditions and concerns for student and staff safety.
“Over the past week, my administration has prepared for this moment – ensuring devices are in hand, families are informed and educators are ready to welcome students online,” he said in a post on X.
Mamdani and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced in a press release that all NYCPS buildings would be closed on Jan. 26 due to the extreme weather conditions.
All after-school programs, adult education and other school-based activities will also be canceled, with instruction continuing remotely for most students.
GOOD OLD-FASHIONED SNOW DAY MAY BE HEALTHY FOR KIDS, DOCTORS SAY: ‘PERMISSION TO UNPLUG’
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a news conference about preparations for an approaching winter storm on Jan. 24, 2026. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
The shift will affect about 500,000 students across more than 1,100 schools, though Monday will remain a previously scheduled day off for high school students and students in grades six through eight.
“Preparation matters, especially in moments like this,” said Samuels. ”I am grateful to our school communities for the work they’ve done over the last several days – from stress-testing technology to securing buildings and getting virtual classrooms ready. This was a difficult decision made with the safety of every family in mind, and I thank you for your flexibility.”
SHOVELING SNOW COULD POSE DANGEROUS HEALTH RISK FOR ONE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN
FOX Weather reported on Sunday that nearly 200 million people are under some type of winter weather alert, breaking the record for the most number of U.S. counties simultaneously under a Winter Storm Warning.
A person walks down a residential street as snow falls in the Brooklyn borough of New York City on Jan. 25, 2026. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
WINTER STORMS CAN KNOCK OUT YOUR TECH FAST: PREPARE NOW
In New York, heavy snow began moving into the city and the tri-state area in the morning, the FOX Forecast Center said, with radar showing snow blanketing Manhattan and snowfall rates reaching up to two inches per hour from New Jersey to Long Island.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged New Yorkers to avoid unnecessary travel, stay up to date with local forecasts and check in on neighbors.
A man sits on a bench in Central Park as snow falls in New York City on Jan. 25, 2026. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
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She declared a state of emergency on Friday and said officials were prepared to clear streets and respond to any power outages.
FOX Weather’s Mike Rawlins contributed to this report.
