New York City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging New Yorkers to take caution, as it warns of potentially “life-threatening” weather conditions that are set to worsen overnight and last for days. As the five boroughs dig out from the weekend snowstorm, officials are focusing t heir attention on the extreme cold settling over the area. OEM says the main concern starts Tuesday night. After midnight, another surge of Arctic air is expected to arrive. Wind chills will fall below zero, reaching up to 9 degrees below zero by early Wednesday, the agency says. That cold could kill people who are exposed to it for more than a short time, it notes. “Being outside will feel painful. Exposed skin can freeze in minutes,” emergency officials caution. “Waiting for transit, walking, or working outdoors will be dangerous without full winter protection.” Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office said at least eight people were found dead outside as temperatures plunged between Saturday and Monday morning. The circumstances and causes of the deaths were not immediately clear and remain under investigation, but the administration believes cold played at least a factor. Some of those who died had previous interaction with the shelter system, Mamdani said. Outreach efforts have intensified and continue to do so. Dozens have been placed in shelters. Warming centers are open. “This is an all-hands-on-deck effort,” the mayor said Monday. Beyond those concerns, officials say the cold weather will mean homes lose heat faster. Apartments with weak insulation or heating problems may struggle to stay warm. Pipes could freeze. Cars may have trouble starting. NYC’s OEM says people without reliable heat, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and those with medical conditions face the highest risk. Anyone who sees someone at risk outdoors is asked to call 311, and with a Code Blue in effect, Mamdani says that will route the call directly to 911. Across the U.S., at least 21 deaths were reported in states dealing with severe cold, according to NBC News. A fresh influx of Arctic air is expected to sustain freezing temperatures in places already covered in snow and ice. And it’s possible another winter storm could hit the NYC area this weekend. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less