NYC Ends 9-Day Subfreezing Streak as Cold Persists

New York City emerged from a nine-day streak of subfreezing temperatures on February 2, 2026, as afternoon highs in Central Park reached 34 degrees Fahrenheit, but forecasters warned of persistent cold and an incoming Arctic blast that could extend the wintry grip through the following week.

The cold spell began on January 24, when temperatures plunged below freezing across the metropolitan area, driven by a surge of Arctic air that affected much of eastern North America. Lows dipped into the single digits overnight, with wind chills making conditions feel even harsher. By January 28, a satellite image captured extensive ice buildup choking the Hudson River along Manhattan's western shore, with smaller patches visible in the East River, Central Park's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and New Jersey waterways. Much of the ice originated from upstream areas where weaker tidal currents and lower salinity allowed freezing at higher temperatures than in the faster-flowing, brackish waters near the city's harbors.

A winter storm on January 25 exacerbated the freeze, dumping nearly 12 inches of snow in Central Park and leaving behind stubborn mounds of ice that turned sidewalks...