Intense Winter Storm Threatens Northeast US, Disrupting Travel and Daily Life
New York – A powerful winter storm is unleashing blizzard conditions across the northeastern United States, impacting over 35 million people from Maryland to Massachusetts. Heavy snowfall, ferocious wind gusts reaching 70 mph, and the threat of coastal flooding are prompting states of emergency and widespread travel disruptions.
The National Weather Service warned Sunday that the storm could intensify beyond initial projections, bringing 1 to 2 feet of snow to many areas. Blizzard warnings are in effect for major metropolitan areas including New York City, Boston, and coastal communities in New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Rhode Island.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency Sunday, enacting a ban on non-essential travel on city streets, highways, and bridges between 9 p.m. Sunday and noon Monday. Public schools will be closed Monday, offering a “full classic snow day” with no remote learning, the mayor announced on X. “Staying home means you are staying safe,” Mamdani told Fox News. The city is deploying additional snow-clearing equipment and utilizing geocoding to prioritize clearing bus stops, crosswalks, and pedestrian ramps. Outreach workers are also assisting unhoused individuals into shelters and warming centers.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also declared a state of emergency, placing all 21 counties under a blizzard warning – a first in 30 years. Churches have cancelled services and officials in Atlantic City are urging residents and visitors to stay off the streets, particularly in flood-prone areas. Sherrill urged residents via social media to head home immediately and remain indoors, stressing the seriousness of the storm.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency effective 2 p.m. Sunday, closing public schools and city offices on Monday. “Boston is looking to face down yet another winter storm this season and one that is looking like it will be of historic proportions,” Wu stated at a press conference.
Airlines have cancelled more than 6,000 flights in and out of US airports through Monday, with major hubs including JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, and Boston Logan experiencing the most significant disruptions, according to FlightAware.
While temperatures are dropping, forecasts do not predict conditions as severe as those experienced earlier this year when at least 18 people experiencing homelessness died in New York City due to the cold. However, officials warn that the strong winds and heavy snow could down power lines, causing sporadic outages. The storm surge of 2 to 4 feet poses a moderate coastal flooding risk from Delaware Bay to Cape Cod.
The storm arrived Sunday morning in the Washington D.C. area and is expected to move towards Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston by evening, following the recent thaw of snow from a previous winter storm. The National Weather Service cautions that whiteout conditions will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
