NYC snow shuts down schools, city “takes a snow day”

SEE PHOTOS of snow in NYC and the LaGuardia Airport

New York City finally takes a snow day after residents woke up to a foot of snow.

NYC schools have been closed (for only the seventh time since 1978). Moreover, Mayor Michael Bloomberg shut all the city's non-emergency offices.

New York City almost never takes a snow day, but today is one of those rare days, said Bloomberg.

He urged people to stay home and off the roads. He also said there are extensive service delays on mass transit and that all bus services have been suspended. Meanwhile, the subway is experiencing delays on some routes.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management added that vehicle found to be blocking roads or impeding snow removal will be towed at the owner's expense. Alternate side parking, payment at parking meters and garbage collections are also suspended until further notice.

Bloomberg News reported that the snow has caused power outages for thousands of New Yorkers and grounded hundreds of aircrafts.

The National Weather Service said 19 inches of snow fell at Central Park, 17 inches at LaGuardia Airport, and 10 inches at JFK Airport. In total, NYC has seen 36 inches of snow this winter season, reported the Wall Street Journal.