Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
[Update] Snow Squall Micro-Blizzard Swallows NYC
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 18, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Jen Chung/Gothamist
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 18, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A snow squall warning is in effect for New York City until 5:30 p.m. today, which includes "heavy & blowing snow with wind gusts up to 30 MPH [causing] poor visibility and life-threatening travel conditions." The mayor's office warns that much like many a disappointing sexual rendezvous, it will "arrive quickly and powerfully, but it will not last very long." Do not waste any more time, you have MERE MINUTES to get the bread and milk before it arrives. [Scroll down below for updates, including videos of the squall]
You might be wondering exactly what a snow squall is right about now, so let us help: they are short-lived, quick intense bursts of snow accompanied by strong gusty winds, often resulting in a total lack of visibility outside. They usually don't last longer than 30 minutes to an hour, and sometimes are accompanied by storms. You can see a video below of a snow squall moving into Peekskill about an hour ago.
If the term snow squall is at all familiar to you, it is almost certainly due to The Great Snow Squall Of January 2019, which enveloped the city in a shroud of white for about 15 minutes almost exactly a year ago. You can revisit our definitive oral history of that event here, and check out a video of it below.
Update 4:20 p.m.: We are approximately 15 minutes into the squall. NYC has been trapped inside the eerie blue glow of the storm. Nothing will ever be the same (at least until everything clears up completely in about 30 minutes or so). Squall's well that ends well! Check out some videos from around the city below.
Tagged
weather
snow
whiteout conditions
snow squall
squalling
the snow squall that swallowed the city
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .