New Yorkers have lost 18 lives due to a prolonged severe cold wave since late January, with temperatures remaining below zero degrees Celsius for 13 consecutive days—the longest such period in 60 years.
On 10 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Sohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, USA, revealed that New York has experienced temperatures at or below zero degrees Celsius for 13 consecutive days since late January, marking one of the longest cold spells since 1963.
The cold wave that has caused temperatures to drop unusually low has covered New York City since late January, resulting in at least 18 deaths. Over the past weekend, authorities declared a cold weather emergency starting 19 Jan 2026 GMT+7.
New York authorities have relaxed policies to admit homeless individuals into shelters, resulting in about 1,400 people receiving protection, added 64 hotel rooms, and deployed at least 150 additional field staff to care for vulnerable people on the streets.
The U.S. National Weather Service stated that Arctic air masses have caused dangerously low wind chill temperatures below zero, increasing risks of hypothermia and cold injuries. The highest temperatures during this period remain below the normal average of about 4 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, New York’s emergency management agency warned that although temperatures are beginning to rise, risks remain, especially from snow and ice that may fall from buildings, as well as roads and sidewalks that could refreeze overnight.
Source: BBC