Newsletter
Stay up to date with our latest news.
By Thomas Miller, Local Climate & Environment Reporter | January 15, 2026 | Seasonal Activities
"The scenery looks exactly like a vintage snowglobe out here today," CBS News New York reporter Elijah Westbrook said Friday morning. Westbrook was broadcasting live from the snow-covered Mall as the city experienced its heaviest single-day snowfall of the season.
The intense winter system dumped 14 inches of heavy, wet snow over the park's 843 acres, creating a picturesque but hazardous landscape that required an immediate mobilization of municipal maintenance crews.
CBS News New York reported that the storm has completely blanketed the park's central fields, drawing thousands of adventurous locals equipped with sleds and cameras. The heavy snow has weighted down tree branches in the Ramble, creating a quiet winter landscape.
"The sheer volume of snow that fell in a 12-hour window has surpassed our initial winter storm predictions," said meteorologist Amanda Torres during a Friday morning briefing. She confirmed that wind gusts reached 35 miles per hour along the Reservoir loop, causing minor drifting.
The Central Park Conservancy deployed more than 120 sanitation workers starting at 3:00 a.m. to clear the main pedestrian loop and the major cross-park transverses. Operators used specialized utility vehicles to spread salt and clear pathways for emergency service access.
While the main loops are clear, park officials warned that smaller dirt paths in the northern woods remain impassable until heavy machinery can be safely deployed. Visitors are urged to stay on cleared asphalt routes to avoid slipping on hidden patches of black ice.
Parks Department officials have designated Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill as safe, monitored sledding locations for families over the coming weekend. Park rangers will be stationed at the base of both hills to assist visitors and distribute safety helmets to young children.
These snowy gatherings provide a wonderful backdrop for the community, much like the park's expanding schedule of seasonal events that draw diverse crowds throughout the year. Sledding areas will remain open daily from 8:00 a.m. until dusk as long as snow depth remains above six inches.
Local birdwatchers gathered near the Reservoir to document how native waterfowl adapt to the freezing conditions. Dr. Sarah Jenkins, an urban ornithologist, noted that northern ducks tend to congregate in the remaining open water patches to conserve body heat.
She advised visitors to avoid throwing breadcrumbs to the birds, as it can cause serious digestive issues during extreme cold snaps. Instead, naturalists recommend observing the animals quietly from behind the safety railings.
The nyc central park weather advisory remains active through Saturday morning as freezing temperatures threaten to turn slush into solid ice. NYPD has temporarily closed several steep pedestrian ramps near Central Park South to prevent slip-and-fall injuries.
By early afternoon, the low winter sun cast long blue shadows across the pristine snowdrifts of Sheep Meadow, where families continued to construct snowmen. Park officials remind all visitors that dress-in-layers guidelines should be followed to ensure safety in sub-freezing temperatures.
Are the public restrooms and visitor centers open during winter storms?
Yes, the Belvedere Castle and the Dairy Visitor Center remain open on modified schedules to provide warm shelter and visitor assistance. Public restrooms near the Great Lawn and Bethesda Terrace are heated and remain open during regular park hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Is cross-country skiing permitted on the park's open lawns?
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are highly encouraged on all open lawns, including Sheep Meadow and the Great Lawn, when snow cover exceeds six inches. Visitors must bring their own equipment, as there are no rental facilities located inside the park.
Newstrix
Central Park News
Related News
