Staten Island's Chilly Welcome to 2026

New Year's Day in Staten Island brought a surprise—a light snowfall that left a thin white layer on sidewalks and streets. This wasn't a heavy snowstorm but just enough to make the area look like it had been sprinkled with powdered sugar. The snow didn't stick around for long, but it did set the stage for a cold start to the new year. The weather forecast for the day was not promising. Temperatures hovered around 31 degrees, but the wind chill made it feel much colder, between 15 and 20 degrees. Winds were blowing strongly from the northwest, ranging from 14 to 17 mph, with gusts reaching up to 31 mph. This made it feel even chillier outside.As the day progressed, the weather didn't get much better. By nightfall, the skies turned mostly cloudy, and temperatures dropped to around 19 degrees. The wind chill values remained low, between 10 and 15 mph, with westerly winds blowing at around 6 to 8 mph. It was a cold night for sure. Looking ahead, the weekend didn't promise much warmth either. The forecast called for partly sunny skies on Friday, with temperatures again hovering around 31 degrees. It seemed like the cold weather was here to stay for a while. This cold snap was a reminder that winter is far from over. It's important for residents to bundle up and stay warm, especially when stepping out into the chilly air. The light snowfall might have been a small event, but it was a clear sign that winter is still in full swing.