Sure, global warming might be destroying the environment one arctic glacier at a time, but what are a few dead baby seals in comparison to getting an extralong pre-summer weekend? Today, the Times reported that many city schools will be giving students two days off before the official last day of classes, due to this academic year's unusually warm winter, which led to a lack of snow days. more ›

It is looking more and more like we'll get a touch of winter this weekend. First, though, today is going to be mostly sunny and mild with a high in the mid to upper 40s. The high pressure system bringing the mild weather will move offshore later today, paving the way for tonight's storm. That storm is a weak low pressure system over Texas at the moment. It will rapidly move east and then strengthen and move up the coast as the day progresses. more ›

Could it be that we'll have a brush with winter today? The weekend too? It's true! There's a storm passing south of the city today that's not quite nor' enough to be a nor'easter but will bring cooler air, clouds and maybe a few flurries or snow showers. No accumulation is expected except in Union Square. Today's high will flirt with 40 degrees. more ›

Yesterday, the New York Post reported that attorneys representing Occupy Wall Street had dropped their appeal against the city and Brookfield Properties which sought to allow camping in Zuccotti Park. The piece included triumphant quotes from attorney Randy Mastro, who was representing downtown businesses, as well as an attorney for the city. Alan Levine, the attorney representing Occupy Wall Street who argued the case in court on November 15, explained to us why he and his colleagues dropped the case: "We've gotten everything from the city and Brookfield that we wanted…they conceded that access to Zuccotti is unfettered." more ›

Bryant Park has just announced their annual Winter Film Festival (that's right, outdoor movies aren't just for balmy summer nights), and they've got a pretty sweet lineup. On January 23rd they'll be screening When Harry Met Sally, followed by Groundhog Day on January 30th, on February 6th it's Edward Scissorhands, and there will be one more TBA on the 13th. All movies start at 7 p.m., but we recommend getting there early to fill your hot chocolate up with some contraband cinnamon Schnapps. more ›

Was this weekend the best winter could do? Sure it dipped down to 15 degrees yesterday and today, and there was a nasty windchill, but without snow the weather left us wanting. Maybe we should move north! There's a winter weather advisory in effect tonight for the Hudson Valley, northern New Jersey and Connecticut away from the coast. There's a warm front being dragged our way by a storm crossing the Great Lakes. The precipitation that normally runs ahead of a warm front will fall through some pretty cold air north of the city, reaching the ground as a mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow. Here in the city we'll most likely just see rain. more ›

Not to be all Smokey the Bear about it, but since deadly fires happen most often in the winter months, now is a good time to brush up on some fire safety. We talked to FDNY spokesperson Frank Dwyer recently, and got tips on dealing with fires in different types of city dwellings. After all, how you deal with a fire in your home all depends on what type of home you live in. more ›

Today's beautiful blue skies are going to give way to a messy weather situation tonight and tomorrow as the high pressure system producing the cloudless sky will soon be knocked out by one-two punch of potent storms. For the rest of the day today we should see mostly sunny skies and a temperature slowly climbing to the mid 40s. more ›

A weak area of low pressure will pass through the region late Saturday. Be on the lookout for a cloud or two! Another dry air mass will follow on Sunday. This one doesn't have much cold air. Sunday's high will be in the mid 40s under sunny skies and the temperature on Monday is expected to stay in the low 40s. That's a couple degrees warmer than average. more ›

Fall is ending on a warm and rainy note. As expected a warm front has moved across the city this morning, bringing widespread clouds, fog, and light rain. The temperature is going to hover in the mid and upper 50s all day. Expect delays if you're flying somewhere today. There's plenty of fog all along the East Coast, the Great Plains and Rockies are getting socked with snow, and Los Angeles will be in for a round of Santa Ana winds. For your Saturnalian pleasure there's a slight chance of thunder and a good chance for gusty winds as a cold front arrives around the time of tonight's winter solstice. more ›

If you're the type of person who passes on a plate of holiday cookies because you're "watching your weight" or "don't eat things shaped like people," it's time to succumb to the primal urges of the flesh: humans are wired to eat more during the winter. "We are driven by things implanted in our brain a long, long time ago," Dr. Ira Ockene, a cardiologist, tells NPR. As the weather gets colder, and the days get shorter, our caloric intake increases. The fact that another pint of Caramel Cone keeps the crushing ennui at bay another 30 minutes also helps. more ›

Occupy Wall Street protesters ensconced in Zuccotti Park are gearing up for winter with a little help from their friends: the Firedoglake Membership Program has raised over $50,000 to start a supply chain of union-manufactured goods—including hats, scarves, blankets, jackets, base layer underwear and extreme weather socks—to help occupiers get through the cold. But might this really just be another ACORN-led George Soros conspiracy in disguise? more ›

It seems strange on a day like today to reminisce on winter, and the fact that it was only two months ago that we were dealing with blizzards, snow piles and slowdowns. But that's just what the Times did today, in an article about four people who believe that they were unfairly ticketed for failing to shovel their sidewalks at the same time when the city was failing to clear many of the streets. more ›

As we noted Monday, these disgusting soot-covered snow banks are on the wrong side of history, but they're still clinging to power in isolated strongholds throughout our besieged city. Tomorrow's already the 10th, and despite 60 degree weather and driving rain over the weekend, these last remnants of our bitter winter are still here to remind us what we went through. We expect to see "the hipsters" ironically "snowboarding" down them in June. As a coping mechanism perhaps, photographer/designer Tommy Noonan has embraced them (in the spirit of Hoth Williamsburg). more ›

This winter hasn't been kind to New York. Cars were broken as owners attempted to rescue them from an icy death. Train cars have been sent out of commission. And now the city's roads are becoming undriveable. The DOT has had to fill more than 45,000 potholes, cave ins and the like (know your street defects!) since the first storm hit in December. One tow truck driver told the Times, “New York is Pothole City right now. Everyone is driving through an obstacle course. These streets will take your car away in a heartbeat." more ›

Sometimes, weather is hard. And when that happens, FEMA is there to help (sometimes). FEMA has reportedly "deployed personnel" to New York to "help coordinate if additional support is needed" and has sent supplies like water, food, cots and power generators to "various locations" in case they're needed. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said, "We're continuing towork closely with our state and local partners and tribal governments to make sure they have all the support they need for the duration of this storm." They got any salt? Because at this rate we're going to be skating home. more ›

It's a routine we're all too familiar with: You eye the disgusting, grey puddle of ice, snow and other crap and try to decide whether it's a superficial mess or actually a secret slush lake that will soak your shoes, socks and pants. The snow mush slush is forcing people to leap over the puddles, but then there are the slush puddles that are so huge, some people will climb snowbanks or even walk in the middle of streets. more ›

North Dakota—home to America's ugliest (allegedly!)—has a message for New York: stock up on kitty litter and Schnapps. Langdon, N.D.'s very own Barb Mehlhoff told the NY Times to keep kitty litter in the trunk so if you get stuck you can stick it underneath the tires for traction. Sadly, this does not work on the subway. Some other tips from the small town included eating soup, bundling up (duh!), have a sleeping bag on hand, and lots of chocolate and pretzels (duh, again). But the gem amongst this cold weather advice came in recipe form—which we have (named and) provided for you below: more ›

Amtrak has suspended service between NYC and Albany due to "record-setting temperatures... Sub-zero temperatures have caused some signals, switches and equipment to freeze, and as a precautionary measure, Amtrak has temporarily suspended" Empire Service. It gets worse: The Times Union's Capitol Confidential tweets that some representatives' aides are now stranded, which has us worried Albany lawmakers won't be able to maintain their famously high level of productivity today. more ›

The high in Manhattan is predicted to inch up to just 19 today, which would make today the coldest we've seen in NYC in two years, since January 16th, 2009 (high of 16). An Arctic cold front is choking the life out of the Northeast, and the AP reports that two people have already died from exposure. Yesterday morning a woman's frozen body was found in her North Haven, Connecticut driveway; and about 90 miles northwest of Philadelphia, a woman found her husband frozen to death in his car. Here in NYC, the Department of Homeless Services is initiating its Code Blue procedure. more ›