Winter Storm Jonas

It was a warm opening, but the winter finally made it to New York. A year after winter storm Juno, winter storm Jonas hit the city. It started snowing on Friday night and on Saturday morning I woke up and found a city in white. Snowflakes were dancing outside the window and my phone was buzzing with a severe weather alert. Listening to the news, I heard the mayor asking the citizens not to leave their houses. I did as expected, I took my coat and went out.

Outside, the wind carried the snow in every possible direction. Nature was taking over the concrete town and transforming the city into Winter Wonderland. The red stairs, yellow cabs and green subway stations were all covered in snow. Even the snow fighting trucks, that plowed and salted the city roadways, couldn't overcome the overwhelming amount of snow flakes that landed from the sky. After a while, I could no longer tell the difference between roads and sidewalks.

The visibility was low and the wind was brutal, but cars still roam the streets. Every now and then one of the cars got stuck in the snow, but there always was someone nearby to push it back to the road. Everywhere I looked people were helping each other to cross the streets, get up after falling or giving a steady hand when needed. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

I was heading towards Times Square. Usually, I do my very best to avoid it, but this time the temptation was just too strong. You should always expect the unexpected at Times Square and sure enough, moments after I arrived, I saw a skier, elegantly skiing his way through the square, as if it was a part of his daily routine.

To me, there aren't many things that can top that, so I left Times Square towards Bryant Park. At the park, the fountain was frozen as usual and around it I saw dozens of park employees. They were trying, unsuccessfully, to keep the snow away, but even the huge salt mountains they piled up couldn't fight the pouring snow.

That day nature won over the city. Jonas blizzard covered New York City with 26.8 inches of snow, just 0.1 inches away from the all-time record of the 2006 blizzard. During the storm, New York City has plowed 7.25 million tons of snow, enough to fill the Empire State Building 24 times. Later that night, when the storm was over, I went out again to see the aftermath of the storm. I learned that the same snow that freezes the streets can also melt our hearts.

Winter Wonderland

Last week, we had the final snow storm of the season. This time I was fully prepared for it and my route started at Times Square and ended, as always, at Central Park. However, from Times Square I walked downtown, on Broadway, towards Union Square and from there I took the yellow line uptown to the park.

By the time I took my camera out, at Times Square, the streets were already full with street photographers capturing photos with pretty professional gear. It seems like photographing snow storms is getting quite popular in the city these days.

While I was walking through the streets I got the feeling that this is all old news; like I have already seen it before. But when I arrived at Madison Square Park, I was blown away, it was absolutely spectacular. I stood on a bench near the dog run and waited for the perfect moment. At this point my hands were completely frozen because the snow on the gloves started melting and froze again into ice.

I decided to look for a shelter to warm up in but I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the adorable snowmen standing in front of the Flatiron building.

Finally, I found my refuge place in a nearby office building, which also gave me the opportunity to capture the storm from above.

After thawing my gloves and warming up I went to Union Square. In a few hours of snow the place was completely white and the chunks of snow falling down were the perfect addition to this "'winter wonderland" scene.

Winter Storm Juno

Wow! Never in my life have I seen so much snow. The snow showers started early this morning, but at that point it was just another snowy day in the city. Late afternoon, when I went out, it was absolutely spectacular. Everything was covered in white; cars, bikes, mail boxes, garbage bags, people jackets, umbrellas and hair. Even the tons of salt sprinkled on the roads and sidewalks were not able to fight the snow. I was walking on ice blocks and occasionally my boots sank into huge piles of snow. Yes, it was pure fun!

After walking on the 8th avenue for less than a minute, I was promptly covered with snow. There was a pile of snow on my backpack, another one in my hair and some fair amount on my boots. Also, my camera changed its color from black to bright white. I firmly resisted the cold as well as my parents panic messages from Israel, telling me to take a cab or at least the subway. 

I was filled with Adrenalin, so the cold didn't bother me. Surprisingly, although the city is in the middle of one of its biggest storms ever, the people I met on the streets were cooperative and were kind enough to avoid blocking my view and even pose for me. It seems that the snow is making people happy. Or maybe because I'm happy, people are smiling back?

I love the fact that the light reflecting from the snow makes the pictures look warm and welcoming. To me, the colors in this post match the feelings I had while strolling the streets. When I first came to New York I felt that this city is cold and hostile. I could not be more wrong and I'm happy I can now see kindness and warmness on every corner of this amazing city.