You are reading

New York City Blanketed by Largest Snowstorm in Years

Man shoveling snow on Vernon Blvd. sidewalk on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

Dec. 17, 2020 By Allie Griffin

New York City was blanketed by the largest snowstorm in years overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning.

The city was covered with five to eight inches of snow across the five boroughs — with some neighborhoods getting around 11 inches, according to meteorologists and city officials.

“It’s really been years since we had this kind of challenge,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said, adding that the city hasn’t seen this much snow since January 2016.

Queens saw its fair share of flakes by Thursday morning.

Astoria got about eight inches of snowfall, Jackson Heights got seven-and-a-half inches and Jamaica got a whopping 11 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The Oval in Hunters Point South Park on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

The city required bars and restaurants to shut down their roadside dining set-ups ahead of the storm. Restaurants, de Blasio said, will be allowed to reopen them tonight at 6 p.m.

Outdoor dining structures across the city seemed to be largely unaffected by the heavy, wet snowfall, acting Sanitation Department Commissioner Edward Grayson said.

However, Grayson warned anyone brave enough to dine out Thursday to be prepared for slushy conditions.

“Tonight, for those who are enjoying outdoor dining…all I can say is this — it might not be a night to wear your good shoes,” he said.

The Sanitation Dept. will continue snow removal Friday and alternate side parking rules will be suspended as a result.

School buildings, meanwhile, will open tomorrow for students scheduled to attend class in person.

Vernon Blvd. on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

A worker shovels snow outside Bareburger restaurant, located at 48-19 Vernon Blvd., on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

American Brass on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

Gantry Plaza State Park on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

Hunters Point South Park on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

Hunters Point Park South on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

Hunters Point Park South on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

Hunters Point Park South on Dec. 17, 2020 (Michael Dorgan, Queens Post)

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

CM Julie Won vows to vote against OneLIC Neighborhood Plan if neighborhood priorities are not included

Sep. 18, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Council Member Julie Won has once again outlined that she will vote against the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan unless the comprehensive neighborhood rezoning includes specific community guarantees — including a commitment to provide deeply affordable housing, over 1,300 new school seats, a substantial increase in open space, and a comprehensive plan to improve resiliency in the neighborhood.

Your autumn hair care survival guide, straight from Ellee Salon in Long Island City

Sep. 18, 2025 By Jessica Militello

The transition from summer to fall brings plenty of changes, from the start of cooler weather to fun autumn recipes and more, but for many, the seasonal shift can wreak havoc on our hair, causing ends to feel dry and roots to feel more oily than normal. Before you give up on your hair goals and reach for a baseball cap, check out some of these fall hair tips and the latest trends for the season from veteran hair stylist and owner of Ellee Salon, Ellen Lee.

Op-ed | Public growth in Long Island City must yield public good in the One LIC Plan

Sep. 16, 2025 By State Senator Kristen Gonzalez

Long Island City is where I live—it’s my home. That’s why for the past few years, I’ve taken part in public meetings, provided testimony and joined community conversations around the OneLIC rezoning. From the beginning, I’ve insisted that building housing is necessary amid our city and state’s housing crisis; however, to support working New Yorkers, new development should be affordable and intentionally benefit our communities.