City braces for heavy nor'easter snow

Updated  2/2, 12:33 a.m.

More than a foot of snow fell on New York City since late Sunday night, shutting down a number of services. But as a new day dawns Tuesday, it seems some normalcy is returning.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said above-ground subway service would resume at 5 a.m., on Feb. 2, an hour after service on both Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road is set to resume as well. Both were shut down Monday afternoon as workers did everything they could to battle the falling snow, but just not enough to keep everything running.

Buses will continue service as well, but at 75 percent of regular weekday service.

"As the storm makes its way through the region, we continue to urge residents to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and check in with family and friends," Cuomo said late Monday, in a release. "We understand the subway and commuter rail lines are critical for essential workers who need to get to work, and the MTA is confident they can restore service to those New Yorkers early tomorrow morning."

Alternate-side parking has been suspended through Saturday, but meters remain in effect.

Cuomo directed state agencies to mobilize emergency response early Sunday afternoon, restricting travel on many downstate thruways, and imploring everyone to stay at home if there is no need for them to go out.

"State agencies are already in the process of deploying resources to areas expected to be the hardest hit," Cuomo said. "While this work continues, we will remain in constant communication with our local partners to provide any support that may be necessary, as well as with utility companies to ensure power outages are immediately addressed.

"As we know, these storms can be unpredictable, so I strongly urge all New Yorkers to keep a very close eye on the weather over the next few days, and take steps to keep yourself, and your loved ones, safe."

Along with what could be up to 18 inches of snow are strong wind gusts, possibly reaching 50 mph inside the city — and even stronger on Long Island. 

The Metropitan Transportation Authority will continue to operate, spreading salt and clearing platforms and stairs of snow and ice, as well as clearing signals, switches, third rails and even downed trees. 

Buses will operate on reduced service schedules based on anticipated lower ridership, and all buses will be fitted with tire chains, Cuomo said. Articulated buses — like those used by Bx1, Bx2 and Bx9 — will be replaced by standard buses beginning Sunday night.

The storm also has postponed scheduled vaccine appointments for Monday and Tuesday throughout the city, including at six pop-up vaccination sites in the Bronx and in Brooklyn. All of those appointments have been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 3.

Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz Jr., took to Twitter to tell constituents Sunday that public schools will be fully remote on Monday, and that all COVID-related sites will be closed — including test and trace, and vaccine sites.

Con Edison says it has more than 1,000 contracted workers on standby, ready to help anyone who loses power because of snow. Officials with the energy utility warn anyone who sees downed wires to stay clear of them, as they could be live and dangerous. Outages can be reported at ConEd.com/ReportOutage, or by calling (800) 752-6633.