More than 40 million individuals were placed under weather warnings in the northeastern part of the United States on Monday, as a winter storm blanketed the region with deep snow and prompted New York officials to implement a citywide travel ban. The storm, known as a “Nor’easter,” struck the area overnight, causing flight disruptions and power outages for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani directed nonessential drivers to stay off the roads until midday on Monday and ordered the closure of schools. Similar travel restrictions were issued by authorities in neighboring New Jersey and Rhode Island. Many residents expressed frustration at facing the second significant winter storm in weeks.
“I’m tired of it. I don’t want to see any more snow,” stated Vincent Greer, a Wildwood, New Jersey resident, while clearing snow outside his residence. Meanwhile, at New York’s Grand Central station, onlookers admired the city covered in white.
“It’s a beautiful sight,” remarked Chris Crowell, 45, to AFP after a stroll with a friend. “The snow is so abundant, it’s simply stunning. We didn’t expect to be out for this long.”
The National Weather Service predicted a decrease in snowfall overnight but cautioned that strong winds could still cause blizzard conditions in certain areas. By 4:00 pm (2100 GMT), over 5,600 flights to or from the United States had been canceled, with hundreds more delayed, according to FlightAware. New York’s major airports and Boston Logan Airport experienced the highest number of cancellations.
Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport reported nearly three feet (32.8 inches or 83 centimeters) of snow by Monday afternoon, setting a record for the state. The storm arrived shortly after the region had recuperated from another harsh winter weather event linked to over 100 fatalities.
In light of the impending snowfall, officials issued stern warnings, urging residents to remain at home and avoid congesting roads. Mayor Mamdani emphasized the severity of the blizzard, raising the hourly rate for emergency snow removal workers from $19.14 to $30 to expedite public area clearance.
Central Park recorded 19.7 inches (50 centimeters) of snow, marking the most significant snowfall from a single storm in over a decade at New York City’s official reporting station. The United Nations headquarters in the city remained closed on Monday.
Snowplows were deployed across the northeast as authorities aimed to minimize prolonged disruptions. Major urban centers like New York and Philadelphia opened designated warming centers for individuals stranded in the cold.
Further north, Rhode Island extended its travel ban until Tuesday, and the governor of Massachusetts announced new driving restrictions for nonessential travel in certain areas. Boston public schools remained closed on Tuesday due to the heavy snowfall.