Polar vortex breaks Big Apple's weather records

As the city worked to make sure New Yorkers were safe, Mother Nature's cold blast shattered records in the Big Apple Tuesday.

Central Park recorded a low of 4 degrees -- 2 degrees lower than the previous Jan. 7 record set in 1896, according to the National Weather Service. Wind chills made the real feel temperatures minus 15.

LaGuardia and JFK airports also broke their all-time cold records with 4 and 6 degrees respectively, the NWS said.

Joe Pollina, a meteorologist for the agency, said the polar vortex that swept through the East Coast on Monday night left some lingering effects.

"Now an arctic air mass is in place," he explained.

Although the city's Office of Emergency Management didn't open up heating centers to help people on the street keep people warm, The Dept. of Homeless Services activated its "Cold Blue" measures, doubling its street outreach efforts.

As of Tuesday evening, there weren't any reports of cold-related deaths, according to the city. The FDNY said it received 19 calls to 911 from people who said they were directly impacted by the weather.

"Of these 19 calls, 11 were transported to hospitals," the department said in a statement.

A spokesman for OEM said additional 311 staff was in place to handle calls.

Relief is on the way starting Wednesday.

Pollina said a warm front will steadily increase temperatures in the tri-state area and today's highs will reach the mid-20s. Thursday's high will be in the-mid 30s, followed by the 40s on Friday and may even reach the 50s by the weekend, according to the meteorologist.

"Our forecasts show that we will be above normal for the next six to 10 days," he said.