Winter storm pulls away after dumping heavy snow; frigid air won't budge | Live updates

The storm left well over a foot of snow in parts of the area, and cold air will be locked in place into early February.

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Last updated: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 4:38PM GMT
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NEW YORK (WABC) -- The winter storm of January 2026 that once covered 2,000 miles across the nation has pulled away, leaving New York City and the Tri-State area to dig out from the biggest snowfall in years.

The big dig coincided with the start of the work week, with motorists faced with treacherous drives and commuters on public transit that contended with challenges, too, though subway service was largely normal.

The storm left almost a foot and half of snow in parts of the region, while Central Park came in at 11.4 inches, a record for the day. These were not the final numbers and could go up.

There were a few more scattered snow showers early Monday but the bulk of the storm has headed out to sea. Monday's notable weather feature was the bone-chilling cold, and it will linger through at least the next seven days. Temperatures are not expected to top the freezing mark until Feb. 3, when a high of 33 is expected, still well below normal.

That means the snow and ice will stick around at least into early February.

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Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 25, 2026, 3:49 AM GMT

NJDOT reducing speed limit to 35mph beginning Sunday

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) issued an Emergency Traffic Regulation Order that temporarily lowers all posted speed limits to 35 miles per hour on Interstate and State highways in New Jersey starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, January 25. The speed limit reduction applies to:

All Interstate highways in New Jersey
All U.S. and State highways in New Jersey
The New Jersey Turnpike
The Garden State Parkway
The Atlantic City Expressway

Jan 25, 2026, 2:53 AM GMT

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont declares state of emergency ahead of major winter storm

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that he has declared a state of emergency ahead of the major winter storm impacting the area this weekend.

Additionally, he has signed an order prohibiting commercial vehicles - such as permitted vehicles, trucks, RVs, tractor trailers, tankers, and vehicles with trailers - from traveling on all limited access highways in Connecticut beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, 2026, and remaining in effect until further notice. A separate announcement will be made by the Office of the Governor when it has been determined that the order regarding commercial vehicle travel can be lifted.

"This storm is going to significantly impair the ability to safely drive, and we want to get the word out that it will be extremely dangerous to be on the roads," Governor Lamont said. "Do not risk your life and the lives of others. I am strongly urging everybody to make plans now to be at a specific location on Sunday morning and remain there for the duration of the storm, which is likely to continue overnight and go into at least Monday morning."

Jan 25, 2026, 4:13 AM GMT

Extreme cold may have played role in deaths of 5 people in NYC

The extreme cold weather on Saturday may have played a role in the deaths of five people in New York City.

A 67-year-old man was found unresponsive in Manhattan on 3rd Avenue near East 35th Street, along with a woman and a man in Brooklyn at separate locations.

An unidentified man was found on Hilburn Avenue in Queens and another unidentified man was found on 69th Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan.

The bodies were all discovered Saturday morning and pronounced dead by EMS on the scene.

The medical examiner will determine the official causes of death but officials suspect the cold may have contributed.

New York City on Saturday was under a Cold Weather Advisory, with temperatures only reaching the teens and wind chills falling below zero ahead of a winter storm arriving Sunday.

Jan 24, 2026, 9:52 PM GMT

Empire State Building unveils snowfall tower light show ahead of winter storm's arrival

The New York skyline will be swirling in snowflakes on Sunday as a massive winter storm descends on Gotham. On Saturday, New Yorkers will be getting a towering preview of the snowstorm with a spectacular snowfall light display atop the Empire State Building.

The evening show is being described as a "never-before-seen snowfall effect."

We'll have video of the spectacle here later on our winter storm blog.