Bitter Winter Blast Hits Tri-State Area, Will Persist Tuesday
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Brutal cold and bitter wind made being outside even for a few minutes miserable in the Tri-State Area Monday, and it will be no better on Tuesday as people go to work and send their kids to school.
CBS2's Elise Finch reported the overnight low Monday into Tuesday was expected to drop to 16 degrees, with wind chills making it feel as if it were between 0 and 5 degrees. The biting winds were expected to blow from the northwest at 15 to 25 mph.
When the area wakes up Tuesday morning, wind chills could be as low as minus 10. On Tuesday, the high only climbs to 28 degrees, with the wind chill making it feel like 15.
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As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, Chi Sako was waiting for her bus Monday night in Hackensack, New Jersey. She knew standing outside Tuesday morning would be even worse and require more layers of clothing.
"Maybe a scarf so that the whole thing will be covered," said Sako, of Teaneck.
Unfortunately, there was not much relief for commuters underground. Around 7 p.m., the thermometer was hovering around 30 degrees at the 59th Street-Columbus Circle subway station.
"I thought I was outside," said Jay Coffio. "It's really cold."
Some were already thinking of warmer alternatives.
"If I'm lucky, I'll get a cab – otherwise, look at this -- my eyes are watering," a subway commuter said. "That's how cold it is."
"The morning, forget about it – you've got get the extra coffee," Coffio added. "I think I'll take the day off. It's too cold -- way too cold for the train."
Pablo Ramirez of Hackensack decided to ride his bike -- underestimating the chill.
"We were going to go play soccer and then we realized how cold it was, and we're going to go back home," Ramirez said. "I can't feel my face."
Even in the middle of the day, conditions were frigid and miserable. CBS2's Jennifer McLogan spoke to several people in Mineola about how they keep warm.
"Honestly, it hitting my face right now is just -- I need to bury myself (under a scarf)," said Lucia Biscardi.
Working outside was brutal, said some workers from Carle Place.
"The areas that you need to be concerned about are exposed skin and toes and fingertips, because those are the areas that don't get much bloodflow," said CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez. "Nose, cheeks, earlobes, exposed skin, with a wind chill of around 9 degrees, those are the ones that can get probably frostnip. It would take a while to get frostbite."
Huddling together seemed to work Monday for the Jordans of Elmont.
Meanwhile, some identical twins from Hicksville said the secret to fighting the cold bitter blast is to wear two hats and two jackets.
Lashonda Kroke said it was OK to let the kids play outside,"but make sure you have a warm cup of cocoa waiting for them when they get inside."
But some people welcomed the frigid temperatures.
"I love this weather," said James Kelly. "It's great weather."
"Just invigorating out here," said one man who was on the Jones Beach boardwalk. "It's beautiful."
But CBS 2's Dr. Max Gomez warned the conditions can also be dangerous.
"When those start to get really numb, tingling or even burning kind of sensations, get inside," he said.
The forecast temperatures for early Tuesday are dangerous, especially for any exposed skin such as the nose, cheeks and ear lobes.
"What you're looking for is areas that start to turn kind of whitish or grey, feel a little firm -- those areas there, that's what you need to worry about," Dr. Gomez said.
The city of New York issued a Code Blue Warning Monday. Mayor Bill de Blasio urged all New Yorkers to stay warm and call 311 to help anyone at risk – especially those living on the street.
A Code Blue is put in place when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or lower, and requires shelter access to anyone who needs assistance. The Department of Homeless Services and the NYPD focus on clients on their vulnerable lists, and work to contact them once every four hours to provide assistance.
On Sunday night into Monday morning, city workers helped bring 30 people from the streets to shelter, and while 28 of them went voluntarily, two had to be taken involuntarily to hospitals. A total of 118 people walked into NYC Health + Hospitals facilities to get out of the cold, the city said.
