Snow Prediction Draws Mixed Reactions
Mayor Zoran Mamdani found himself the target of online mockery after his weekend snow forecast for New Yorkers seemed overly cautious, stating “3 to 16 inches of snow could fall.” This vague range starkly contrasts with past administrations, which faced political backlash for winter storm responses.
One user remarked on X, “3-16, that’s how you narrow down your predictions.” Another official criticized the statement, saying, “It’s nonsense that New York City will get 3 to 16 inches of snow. That tells you nothing at all. Citing numbers with a probability range of 5% to 95% is just silly.”
In another comment, a user playfully suggested, “Maybe you forgot the 1 before the 3?”
Mamdani made his weather announcement around 4:30 p.m., already amidst a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service, which was predicting 6 to 12 inches of snow for the city.
“3 to 16 inches of snow is expected to fall in New York City this weekend, and we’re ready,” he stated. He also mentioned that a code blue alert would be enacted, which facilitates more room in homeless shelters during dangerously low temperatures to ensure no one is left outside overnight.
“Tomorrow we will begin pre-snow treatment on highways and major roads. If the storm hits, @NYCSanitation and city workers are on the go 24/7 to keep our city running,” he added.
The upcoming storm, named Winter Storm Fern, is set to impact the tri-state area starting Sunday morning, with snow expected to linger into Monday. If at least a foot of snow accumulates, it would mark the city’s heaviest snowfall since February 2021, when Central Park recorded 16.8 inches.
Snowstorms have historically caused turmoil for city leadership, with many mayors facing criticism over their inadequate responses. For instance, in November 2018, a snowstorm that dropped only 6 inches left the city nearly paralyzed.
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio attributed the city’s troubles not to poor planning but to challenges of “misfortune.” His predecessor, Mike Bloomberg, had his own struggles with a blizzard in December 2010, calling the aftermath a “character-building” experience.
