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NYC Thawing Out As Temperatures Rise Above Freezing For First Time Since Christmas

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City is thawing out with temperatures rising above freezing for the first time since Christmas day.

The National Weather Service said on Twitter that the 4 a.m. temperature in Central Park Tuesday was 33 degrees, finally breaking the 14-day cold spell.

"That makes it the first time the temperature has been above freezing since 5 PM December 25, 2017," the tweet said. "A string of 347 hours!"

Temperatures Tuesday are expected to hit a high of around 40 in the city. New Yorkers who were out and about welcomed the warmer weather.

"It's like 36 right now. It was freezing before so we have a little break right now," taxi driver Mohammed Uddin told CBS2's Janelle Burrell. "City is coming back to normal."

"Feels like summer, is a beach holiday," said Upper West Side resident Julie Reed-Yeboah.

"Definitely, I'm wearing fewer layers," said Brooklyn resident Sarah Ketani.

"This morning, I'm OK," another man said. "Last week was too cold."

But navigating what's left on the ground from last week's snowstorm is another story. Pedestrians turned acrobats, having to carefully climb the dirty snow mounds at bus stops and pass by some of the trash scattered and mixed-in with the slush.

The messy mounds is a challenge not only for people walking, but their four-legged companions too.

"They're supposed to go on the curb and they can't reach it," said Upper West Side resident Emily Juchau.

Some neighborhoods have been neglected with trash pickup because sanitation crews normally responsible for trash have been busy clearing the snow piles and the streets.

Sanitation officials say workers are out trying to catch up by the end of the week.

"I mean it's unpleasant, but it's life" said Upper West Side Jane Klein.

The cold weather was also still impacting the commute for ferry riders.

NYC Ferry said Tuesday that the Rockaway route remains suspended until further notice due to heavy icing conditions leading to the Rockaway landing.

A shuttle bus will be provided on both the Rockaway East and West routes to help bring riders to the nearest train station at Beach 105th Street. The Downtown Far Rockaway shuttle bus will also be suspended.

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