“We are on track for some of the coldest days yet, with actual temperatures dropping drastically to -10º F (-23.3º C), which will represent lethal conditions,” Mamdani said at a press conference.
If the forecast is confirmed, this weekend would be in third place, behind February 9, 1934, when -15º F (-26ºC) was reached, the historical record for cold; and December 30, 1917, when temperatures dropped to -13º F (-25º C), according to data recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) station located in Central Park.
The cold wave in which the city has been immersed for several weeks was also close to surpassing the record sequence of days below zero. Until this Monday, there were ten consecutive days in which temperatures did not exceed zero degrees (32ºF). Although on Monday afternoon the thermometer slightly exceeded that value.
Although some afternoons this week reached 34ºF (1.1ºC), days are expected with temperatures “too low and dangerous to survive”, admitted Mamdani.
The council has kept the ‘Blue Code’ active, warning of risk of freezing, since it was activated on January 19th due to the weather situation.
Since the first wave of Arctic cold arrived at the end of January, 17 people have died from cold-related causes.
To prevent this number from continuing to increase, the city doubled the number of reception accommodations, according to Mamdani, adding that there are already “more than 1,200 places”.
Among others, accommodation places were made available in hotels and some warming centers were enabled in spaces, such as public schools.
“We want every New Yorker who needs help finding heat to be able to find it,” Mamdani said.
