Snow Woes Linger in NYC Weeks After Blizzard

Massive snow piles, slushy streets, and blocked bike lanes continue to disrupt travel across the city.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:39pm

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More than a week after Winter Storm Fern dumped over a foot of snow on New York City, the city is still grappling with the aftermath. Massive snow piles, blocked bike lanes, and treacherous road conditions have made travel a nightmare for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has faced criticism for the slow cleanup response, with some residents accusing him of being more concerned with his fashion choices than addressing the crisis.

Why it matters

The lingering snow and ice issues have had a significant impact on the daily lives of New Yorkers, disrupting transportation, commerce, and public safety. The situation highlights the challenges cities face in responding to major winter storms and the need for more effective snow removal and infrastructure planning.

The details

Sanitation workers have melted 183 million pounds of snow and laid out 227 million pounds of salt, but massive snow piles remain, blocking roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks. Drivers have been stymied by the unruly frozen snow, while cyclists and pedestrians have faced dangerous conditions. The snow has also impacted businesses, with some salons and other establishments seeing a rise in cancellations as customers struggle to access them.

  • Winter Storm Fern started on January 25, 2026, dumping over a foot of snow on the city.
  • As of February 4, 2026, the city has seen 17 cold-related deaths since the storm.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who has faced criticism for the slow cleanup response and his fashion choices during press conferences.

Michelle Perera

A doctor who expressed frustration with the city's slow cleanup efforts and the unsafe and unsightly conditions left behind.

John Michael Bolger

A 70-year-old lifelong New York City resident who criticized Mayor Mamdani's response to the storm.

Juan Santos

A 47-year-old food deliveryman who has faced dangerous conditions while riding his bicycle on the city's streets.

Naadiya Yasin

An attorney who has struggled to find parking near courthouses, leading to delays in her court appearances.

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What they’re saying

“There is a lot of snow still left on the streets and now with trash pickups, it just feels like it's magnified and it's really unsafe and unsightly.”

— Michelle Perera, doctor (San Francisco Chronicle)

“I've never seen this in my life, the piles and everything. This guy, Mamdani, is full of s--t.”

— John Michael Bolger (New York Post)

“I've slipped. I've fell off my bicycle. The food is all over the street. I wear a lot of clothes so I feel a little pain but it's not too bad.”

— Juan Santos, food deliveryman (New York Post)

“I go to courthouses in all boroughs, and everywhere I go, it's an additional 30 minutes to an hour looking for parking, which has delayed court appearances, delayed travel to and from work. Judges are yelling at me for not getting to court on time.”

— Naadiya Yasin, attorney (New York Post)

What’s next

The city is continuing to melt snow and clear streets, with alternate-side parking suspended through Sunday. Residents are encouraged to dig out their cars as temperatures rise above freezing this week.

The takeaway

The lingering snow and ice issues in New York City following the recent blizzard have had a significant impact on the daily lives of residents, highlighting the challenges cities face in responding to major winter storms. The situation underscores the need for more effective snow removal and infrastructure planning to ensure the safety and mobility of all New Yorkers.