Extreme Cold Batters New York, Leaving at Least Five Dead

• Extreme Cold Causes Deaths in New York
• Millions Under Alerts
• Power Outages and Flight Cancellations

According to Spectrum Noticias, at least five people died in New York City as a result of plunging temperatures recorded on Saturday, before the heaviest snowfall associated with a winter storm affecting much of the United States began.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported the deaths and warned about the persistent dangers of extreme cold, even before the full impact of snow and ice.

Local and state authorities warned that conditions will remain dangerous over the coming days, with millions of people under weather alerts and widespread disruptions to basic services and transportation.

Deaths from Cold and Measures in New York

Today, at least 5 New Yorkers lost their lives. While it’s still too early to determine the causes of death, it is a reminder that every year New Yorkers succumb to the cold. The danger of this weather cannot be overstated.⁰⁰Our teams are scouring the streets, offering shelter…

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 25, 2026

Mamdani said that although it is still too early to determine the exact causes of the deaths, the fatalities reflect a recurring pattern during severe winters.

“While it is still too early to determine the causes of death, this reminds us that every year New Yorkers succumb to the cold,” the mayor wrote on X.

As the storm advances, Mamdani announced that public schools in New York City will hold remote classes on Monday.

The city’s school district is the largest in the country, and the decision aims to reduce travel during conditions deemed dangerous.

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Other officials in different affected areas also reported that in-person classes would be canceled or shifted to remote learning.

City authorities urged residents to take extra precautions, especially people most vulnerable to freezing temperatures.

Arctic Cold Wave and Massive Power Outages

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state was preparing for the longest cold stretch and the heaviest snowfall seen in years.

Communities near the Canadian border have already recorded unprecedented subzero temperatures.

Watertown reached minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit, while Copenhagen dropped to minus 49 degrees Fahrenheit, according to data shared by the governor.

“An arctic cold wave has invaded our state,” Hochul said.

“It is brutal, it is frigid, and it is dangerous,” she added.

By Sunday morning, approximately 213 million people were under some form of winter weather alert.

More than 900,000 customers nationwide remained without power, according to PowerOutage.us, with the number continuing to rise.

Tennessee was the hardest-hit state, with nearly 325,000 customers without electricity.

Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi each reported more than 100,000 customers without power.

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses were also without electricity in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and West Virginia.

Airport Chaos and Ongoing Risks

The storm’s impact was also felt in air travel.

According to the flight tracking service FlightAware, around 11,000 flights were canceled on Sunday and more than 13,000 experienced delays.

Airports in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey were particularly affected.

At Philadelphia International Airport, screens showed dozens of canceled flights and minimal vehicle activity on Sunday morning.

At Washington’s Reagan National Airport, nearly all flights were canceled.

Meteorologist Santorelli warned that risks will continue even after precipitation ends.

After the storm, intense cold is expected across nearly two-thirds of the eastern United States, east of the Rocky Mountains.

This will slow the melting of ice and snow, complicating efforts to restore power and other infrastructure.

Along the Gulf Coast, milder temperatures on Sunday will give way to a sharp drop on Monday.

The National Weather Service also warned of strong winds and a slight risk of severe storms, including the possibility of a brief tornado.

Local authorities in cities such as Oxford urged residents to stay home amid conditions they described as potentially deadly.

Officials cautioned that full recovery could take several days due to the scale of the extreme weather event across the United States.