Central Park has seen more than 18 inches accumulate by 7 p.m. (including 8 inches in just six hours), making this nor’easter one of the top 10 snowstorms in New York City history. But WCBS Chief Meteorologist Craig Allen says even though it looks like the storm is over, more snow is actually on the way. Allen says the heaviest pounding of snow is winding down, but it will continue through Tuesday. Several areas will still get a couple of more inches. Strong 40-50MPH winds are expected through the night, and power outages can be expected in various locations. Snow drifts of 2-4′ can be expected. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 snowplows were out in full force Monday, trying to keep New York City roads clear.

A furious nor’easter descended on the tri-state area overnight, dumping up to 7 inches in spots before dawn — a precursor to rapid snowfall rates later Monday that could ultimately bury New Jersey under 2 feet of snow, while New York City could see up to a foot and a half. The worst weather likely starts late morning. Winter storm warnings are in effect for the vast majority of the tri-state area, including all five boroughs of New York City, through early Tuesday, while coastal flood warnings are in effect for about a dozen tri-state countries. The anticipated treacherous weather prompted the suspension of some public transit services and forced COVID vaccination appointments scheduled for Monday to be postponed throughout New York City.

Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a state of emergency on Sunday night that includes restricting non-emergency travel beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday. De Blasio made the announcement as the first hours of snowfall began to hit New York City. The National Weather Service’s latest forecast predicts over 20 inches of accumulation will hit Staten Island. “Make no mistake: this storm will bring heavy snowfall, and it will make travel dangerous in every neighborhood in our city,” said de Blasio. “New Yorkers should stay home, keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles, and let our plows work to keep us all safe,” said de Blasio. “This order will be mandatory at 6 a.m. tomorrow, and everyone should make necessary preparations this evening.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Scheiner, z’tl, Rosh Yeshivas Kaminetz and member of Degel HaTorah’s Moetzet Gedolei HaTorah, was niftar of the coronavirus on Sunday at the age of 98. The bitter news of the Rosh Yeshivah’s petirah came amid the levaya for the Brisker Rosh Yeshivah, Hagaon HaRav Meshulam Dovid Halevi Soloveitchik, z’tl, making it a particularly mournful day for Klal Yisrael and the Torah world. The Rosh Yeshivah contracted the coronavirus a week ago, 17 days after he received the first dose of the vaccine, and was being treated at home. On Sunday morning he suffered a deterioration in his condition and was evacuated to the hospital due to breathing difficulties.

YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira of Hagaon HaRav Meshulam Dovid Halevi Soloveitchik ZATZAL, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk. He was 99. The levaya will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning, beginning from the niftar’s home on Eli HaCohen 17 and pass by the nearby Yeshivas Brisk on the way to Har Hamenuchos. The Rosh Yeshivah contracted the coronavirus in October and after initially being treated at home, was hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem after his condition worsened and was subsequently sedated and ventilated. He was released to his home in early December, where a private ICU unit had been set up. His condition continued to deteriorate, until his Petira early Sunday morning.

Heath officials in Israel says that people R”L died over the weekend. 6,435 Israelis tested positive for the virus on Friday, and as of Motzei Shabbos, another 1,538 tested positive over the course of Shabbos. Over the past week, 355 people died from the virus in Israel, and the total fatality rate in the country since last March as a result of the virus stands at 4,738. There are currently 1,173 people hospitalized in serious condition in Israel. Among them are 332 people who are on respirators. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

The Quebec Council of Hasidic Jews has filed legal action against the provincial government in connection with limits on religious gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic. Current public health guidelines in Quebec limit the number of worshippers allowed inside a building for a religious gathering to 10 people. The Hasidic community is seeking to have the rules modified to allow for several gatherings of 10 people in the same building where closed-off rooms have distinct entrances to the outside. In a news release, the council says taking legal action is a last recourse.

Anti-Israel candidate for City Council in Queens Wants to Impose to her “Inner Palestinian” on frum community. In a bombshell revelation by YWN, Moumita Ahmed, Candidate for City Council for District 24 covering the frum neighborhoods of Kew Garden Hills, Jamaica Estates, Pomonok, Hilcrest and Fresh Meadows, who has tweeted anti-semitic propoganda says she finds inspiration from noted anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour. Moumita Ahmed, a Bernie Sanders staffer and delegate, avowed member of the Democratic Socialists of America, this week called the annual trip that New York City Council members take to Israel propaganda, and declared her support for the anti-Semitic BDS movement as freedom of speech.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wishes to avoid an immediate confrontation with Biden over Iran, Israeli officials said, according to an Axios report. The report said that according to a senior Israeli official, although Netanyahu is vehemently opposed to Biden rejoining the nuclear deal reached under Obama in 2015, the current situation with Biden is very different than it was with Obama. Obama went behind Israel’s back and held secret talks with Iran. The Biden team, on the other hand, said that they will consult with Israel on Iran even before Biden entered office.

In spite of the slowly diminishing morbidity rate in Israel, high ranking officials in the Health Ministry told Channel 12 news in Israel that they are currently weighing options with regard to instating a strict lockdown over the holiday of Purim. While the Ministry still doesn’t know what the morbidity rate will be closer to the holiday that takes place in a month’s time, they are already sharing concerns of large parties and community Megillah readings in the Chareidi community specifically. The Ministry is intending to begin a public information campaign to prevent this, in the coming days. Additionally, they are considering implementing a strict lockdown that will limit mobility during the holiday.