NYC gets first snow of season as powerful polar vortex sends arctic blast to tri-state area

New York City got its first snow of the season on Tuesday as a powerful polar vortex swept across the eastern half of the country, bringing frigid temperatures.

A powerful polar vortex sweeping through the eastern United States could bring New York City its first snowfall of the season on Tuesday. NOAA

Highs are not expected to break out of the low 40s with a wind chill of between 25 and 35 degrees as wind gusts of up to 40 mph bear down on the Big Apple, according to the National Weather Service.

A woman walks her dog along the Shoreline Trail on November 11, 2025, in Derby, New York. Getty Images

Scattered snow flurries started falling around the city in the morning, but it is not expected to accumulate, forecasters said.

The massive polar vortex has pushed arctic air from Canada into the Empire State, bringing an unseasonably early taste of winter to 100 million people, including in the tri-state area, which is under a freeze warning.

Arctic air unleashed by a massive polar vortex has spilled south from Canada into New York, chilling more than 100 million Americans and putting the tri-state area under a freeze warning. REUTERS

New York City officials warned residents to dress warmly and take extra care while walking, biking or driving due to slick conditions and frost that could form on windshields.