DSNY issues Snow Alert for Wednesday

Moses Kuwema

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a Snow Alert for Wednesday which will see alternate side parking suspended while roadway dining must close by 2 p.m.

In a press release, the department said based on current forecasts, it expects snowfall beginning late Wednesday afternoon and that total accumulations of eight or more inches are possible, with the potential for localized higher accumulations.

“While the Department is expecting a significant snowfall, its workers and equipment are prepared. Salt spreaders are already filled and ready to go.

“Additionally, the Department’s collection trucks will be pulled from collection duty and turned into snow plows, ready to plow snow once two inches of snow has fallen.”

“Further, as conditions allow, the Department will use its brine trucks to apply liquid salt to some early-to-freeze roads. The brine, spread only before precipitation begins on dry streets, forms a barrier on the streets and helps keep snow and ice from accumulating. Given the specifics of this event, brine is likely to begin being sprayed on Tuesday evening,” reads the statement.

The DSNY said in a Snow Alert, it coordinates with NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Transportation on snow clearing protocol in accordance with each agency’s written snow plan and that all relevant city agencies have been notified of the snow alert.

The sanitation department announced the suspension of alternate side parking regulations for both Wednesday, December 16, and Thursday, December 17 in order to facilitate roadway clearing that during this period, meters will be in effect.

“Roadway dining during this Snow Alert MUST CLOSE by 2pm on Wednesday, December 16. The City will notify restaurants when they could reopen roadway seating for outdoor dining. Based on the current forecast, the City estimates that this Snow Alert will be over on Thursday evening, allowing restaurants to reopen, but this may change to the morning of Friday, December 18 based on actual accumulations and roadway conditions,” reads the DSNY statement.

The DSNY said it was not asking that restaurants remove any barriers or structures for roadway dining at this time.

The department issued the following guidelines for restaurants, diners may not sit in roadway setups, restaurants should remove or secure any tables and chairs in the roadway, all electrical heaters in roadway must be removed and that if possible, restaurants should remove any overhead coverings, or regularly remove the snow from overhead coverings until the snow alert ends.

Restaurant owners may find additional information to prepare their spaces.

“As a reminder, property owners, including restaurants with outdoor dining structures, may NOT push snow into the street. This impedes snow clearing operations and is illegal.

“Snow may be moved against the building, to the curb line, or areas on private property. Sidewalks should be passable for all pedestrians, including a minimum 4-foot clear path, where possible,” the statement adds.

“New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system.

Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can sign up to receive phone calls, text messages, and emails alerts about severe weather events and emergencies.

To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit visit or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter. Find information on Sanitation snow operations along with residents’ responsibilities during and after snow at nyc.gov/snow,” concludes the statement.

Meanwhile, the New York City department of homeless services and social services is calling on New Yorkers to call 311 when they see anyone at risk from the expected freezing temperatures.

“Temperatures are to go below freezing tonight. If you see anyone at risk, especially those living on the street, please call 311. During #CodeBlue, shelter is available system-wide for anyone brought to a shelter by outreach teams.

Accomodations are also available for walk-ins,” reads the statement.