The high in Manhattan is predicted to inch up to just 19 today, which would make today the coldest we've seen in NYC in two years, since January 16th, 2009 (high of 16). An Arctic cold front is choking the life out of the Northeast, and the AP reports that two people have already died from exposure. Yesterday morning a woman's frozen body was found in her North Haven, Connecticut driveway; and about 90 miles northwest of Philadelphia, a woman found her husband frozen to death in his car. Here in NYC, the Department of Homeless Services is initiating its Code Blue procedure.
Street outreach crews dedicated to helping the homeless have been expanded, and the teams have been trying to check in on as many individuals as possible, as often as possible. With Code Blue in effect, any homeless person may enter any shelter Citywide and have access to drop-in centers 24 hours per day. (Last night was the 41st night that Code Blue had been invoked this winter.)
Of course, many homeless people eschew the shelters. One tells the Times, "The shelter is not the best place. I don’t feel as comfortable, I can’t do what I want. Out here I can be free." At Port Authority last night, the Times reports that "an impromptu dance session in front of a man banging on pots, pans and five-gallon plastic drums." One of the homeless revelers told the paper, "Yes, I’m partying, I’m enjoying my life."
It should be in the tropical 30s tomorrow (chance of snow Wednesday!) but some meteorologists predict the Arctic front will be parked here until mid-February. On the bright side, this should give us plenty of opportunities to amaze our friends by throwing pots of boiling water into the air and watching it freeze in mid-air!
