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First Code Blue of the winter season arrives in New York City
By
Charles Lane
Published Nov 13, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET
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Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images
By
Charles Lane
Published Nov 13, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET
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New York City activated its first Code Blue of the season on Friday, opening warming centers overnight and relaxing shelter intake rules as temperatures and wind chills are expected to approach freezing, officials said.
The cold weather emergency runs from 4 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday, according to the city Department of Emergency Management. Temperatures in Central Park are expected to fall to about 36 degrees, with windchills as low as 34, but colder air moving in after a storm could push both closer to freezing, the agency said, citing the National Weather Service.
It’s the first Code Blue since Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced an expanded plan this week, after more than two dozen people died outdoors or in their homes during a stretch of freezing weather last winter. The city promised $25 million in new funding, 300 more outreach canvassers, 800 more beds and 20 warming buses for the season, aimed to help New Yorkers sleeping on the street.
But last winter showed the danger isn’t limited to people living outside. Gothamist found that at least five of the people who died outside during the cold stretch that began in January had housing.
On Friday, six warming buses are scheduled to run overnight, from midnight to 5 a.m. Saturday at Bellevue, Elmhurst, Harlem and Lincoln hospitals and at Penn Station, according to city officials. Eight drop-in centers are open, and three of those hospitals are serving as warming centers from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m.
“When Code Blue is in effect, we make it as easy as possible for anyone to come inside,” Department of Social Services Commissioner Erin Dalton said in a statement.
Anyone who walks into a city shelter or drop-in center will be let in without the usual intake steps, she said.
NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell urged New Yorkers to check on older neighbors “and anyone who lives alone.”
She also warned that fire is the biggest risk of staying warm at home.
Officials are asking anyone who sees someone outside who may need help to call 311, and to call 911 if a person is in danger, seems confused or appears very cold. Warming locations are listed at on.nyc.gov/warm.
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Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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