Are NYC schools closed tomorrow? Mamdani decision due by noon

New York City is bracing for its first potentially blizzard in years, a powerful nor’easter that could dump a foot and a half of snow on the five boroughs. So, will schools be closed on Monday?

We didn’t get an exact answer from Mayor Zohran Mamdani when he held a news briefing on snow preparedness Saturday afternoon. He said his administration was monitoring the storm and would announce a decision before noon Sunday. The process follows the same timeline he used for the late January storm.

In that case, Mamdani switched schools to remote learning for the day. Ultimately, more than 11 inches of snow fell in Central Park, and more elsewhere across the tri-state area. This storm, we’re expected to see more.

New York City didn’t see a blizzard warning for the last storm, although whiteout conditions were present at times during the height of snowfall. A blizzard warning is issued when snow accumulations are expected between 13 and 18 inches and winds are expected to gust as high as 55 mph. This drops visibility below 1/4 mile due to blowing snow, and whiteout conditions are expected. Travel may be life-threatening.

Either way, it likely won’t lead to a traditional snow day for NYC schools. The nation’s largest school district ended its traditional snow day system when it began the 2022-23 school year.

Rather than cancel school for the day, district officials implemented the remote learning system that the city developed and utilized throughout the pandemic. It hasn’t been without technical issues but reliability has improved considerably in the years since the remote system rolled out.