Summary: NYC & Tri-State Dig Out After January 2026 Winter Storm
The January 2026 winter storm has pulled away, but cleanup continues across NYC and the Tri-State area.
Parts of the region saw well over a foot of snow; Central Park recorded 11.4 inches (daily record).
A few scattered snow showers may linger early Monday, Jan 26, 2026, but the main system is offshore.
Frigid air will stay locked in, with highs not expected above freezing until Feb 3 (around 33°F).
Snow and ice will stick around into early February due to prolonged below-freezing temperatures.
MTA says buses and subways are running with full service, though some routes are detoured.
Metro-North is operating on a Saturday schedule; LIRR on a weekend schedule for Monday.
NJ Transit is returning in phases, starting with light rail, followed by limited bus service later.
NYC deployed emergency snow shovelers to clear bus stops, crosswalks, hydrants, and step streets.
Sanitation/garbage collection is delayed while snow operations remain the priority.
Detailed Update: Snow Totals, Cold Timeline, Commute, and Cleanup
Storm recap and snowfall totals
The storm stretched roughly 2,000 miles across the U.S. before pulling away into the Atlantic. In the NYC metro region, totals reached nearly 1.5 feet in some areas. Central Park came in at 11.4 inches, and officials noted totals could still rise as final measurements are confirmed.
What happens next: lingering snow + deep freeze
Early Monday may bring scattered snow showers, but the main storm is gone. The bigger threat is bone-chilling cold air that won’t let up. Forecasts suggest NYC may not climb above 32°F until February 3, when highs may reach around 33°F—still below normal. This means:
Icy patches will persist on untreated roads and sidewalks.
Snowbanks will melt slowly, then refreeze overnight.
Travel conditions can change fast, especially on bridges and shaded streets.
Commute and transit status
MTA (NYC Transit)
Subways and buses are operating with full service.
Around 10 bus routes were detoured due to road conditions.
MTA leadership said the biggest disruption for some commuters is reduced access from New Jersey while NJ Transit ramps back up.
Metro-North and LIRR
Metro-North is running on a Saturday schedule on Monday.
LIRR is operating on a weekend schedule on Monday.
NJ Transit (phased return)
Service restoration began with all three light rail lines operating on a weekday schedule, though delays and cancellations remain possible.
Limited bus service is expected later, prioritizing high-demand routes.
Commuter rail and Access Link are planned to return gradually after inspections and as road conditions improve.
New Jersey leadership urged residents to work from home if possible due to hazardous roads.
Street clearing, sidewalks, and sanitation operations
NYC’s snow response is shifting from emergency plowing to ongoing clearing and safety work:
The city reports every street has been plowed, with continued salting and additional plowing where needed.
Emergency snow shovelers are deployed to clear high-priority public zones like bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and step streets.
Property owners remain responsible for sidewalks, which matters more now because refreezing can turn packed snow into ice.
Trash collection is delayed while snow operations take priority. If trash is placed out, pickup may happen later than usual.
Bottom line
The storm is gone, but the aftermath stays. Expect slow cleanup, transit adjustments, and days of ice risk because the cold won’t break until early February.
