14 NYC death tied to extreme cold as deep freeze eases; more snow chances ahead

The first two months of meteorological winter are now behind us, and the December-January combo was the coldest we have seen in 15 years. February isn’t starting much better.

In New York City over the weekend, Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed a 14th death linked to frigid weather conditions. There have also been weather-related deaths reported in New Jersey and on Long Island, and dozens more across a swath of the country affected by this massive winter system.

The mayor is expected to be asked about the cold at an unrelated press conference later Monday. Watch his news conference live in the player below when it begins around 11 a.m.

Mamdani re-emphasized the “Code Blue” his administration initiated on Jan. 19, about two weeks ago, and said the city has been taking “every possible measure to get New Yorkers inside.”

This has been a full all-hands-on-deck approach,” he reiterated to New Yorkers.

The mayor says the city intensified outreach, from Dept. of Social Services staff to homeless outreach workers and NYPD officers. In some cases, individuals (16 of them) were involuntarily transported because they were perceived to be a danger to themselves or others, Mamdani said.

The mayor also pointed to warming shelters, expanded shelter capacity, relaxed intake rules and faith-based community outreach as part of the city’s multi-pronged response.

“Since the start of this emergency period, we have successfully made more than 860 placements into shelters and safe havens during what could end up becoming the longest period of consecutive sub-32 degree weather in our city’s history,” the mayor said.

Mamdani said preliminary findings show hypothermia played a role in eight of the deaths.

The city’s medical examiner will determine the exact causes and manners of death for all 14 people. The process could take up to a week to get results for each person, officials have said.

What’s next in weather?

Meanwhile, Punxsatawney Phil has been watching the news lately. The groundhog and his colleague Staten Island Chuck both saw their shadows during their annual event, meaning six more weeks of winter.

This surprises no one. And it’s not helpful when it comes to snow removal and snow melt.

The good news: The worst of the cold air is over, with temperatures moderating Monday (we have a chance at hitting freezing!) and for the next few days. We’ll still be cold for this time of year, but temperatures next week will run nearly 10 degrees warmer than last weekend.

Storm Team 4 is also monitoring two more snow chances later this week, but neither looks to be of significance. There’s a chance for some snow showers Wednesday and a second opportunity Friday night into Saturday.