New York City and New Jersey announced travel bans, airlines canceled more than 3,500 flights, and Broadway shows were shuttered Sunday evening as a fierce winter storm moved toward the Northeastern United States, prompting blizzard warnings from Maryland to Massachusetts.
The National Weather Service warned of 1 to 2 feet of snow across many areas, combined with heavy winds and visibility as low as a quarter-mile. Snow began falling across New Jersey and New York as officials urged residents to avoid travel.
The storm represents the first major nor’easter to hit the Northeast in several years, with meteorologists warning of potentially historic impacts. The combination of heavy, wet snow and strong winds poses risks of widespread tree damage and prolonged power outages across the region.
Travel bans and sweeping closures across the Northeast
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a travel ban on all non-emergency vehicles from 9 p.m. ET Sunday through noon Monday as the National Weather Service warned of a “potentially historic” storm bringing up to 2 feet of snow and winds that would reduce visibility to a quarter-mile or less.
Airlines canceled more than 3,500 flights across the U.S., and Broadway shows were shuttered Sunday evening. New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts declared states of emergency as snow began falling across the region.
The first major nor’easter to hit the Northeast in several years prompted urgent preparedness efforts. Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, said the storm “is definitely a major winter storm and a major impact for this part of the country.”
Bomb cyclone possible; whiteout conditions expected
The heaviest snowfall was expected overnight Sunday into Monday, with as much as 2 inches per hour possible in some areas before tapering off by Monday afternoon. Forecasters warned that the combination of heavy, wet snow and strong wind gusts posed risks of widespread tree damage and extended power outages.
Bryce Williams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Boston office, said winds combined with heavy, wet snow represented “a recipe for damaged trees and prolonged power outages.” The service warned of “Potentially Historic/Destructive Storm” conditions southeast of the Boston-Providence corridor.
Frank Pereira, another National Weather Service meteorologist, said the storm could meet the definition of a bomb cyclone — when a storm drops at least 24 millibars of atmospheric pressure in 24 hours. “I think when all is said and done,” he said, “it will meet the definition of a bomb cyclone.”
Schools closed, preparations mobilized
Mayor Mamdani canceled in-person and virtual classes for city schools on Monday, calling it the “first old-school snow day since 2019.” City officials recruited residents to shovel snow, with some set to begin Sunday night. Outreach workers were also working to move homeless New Yorkers into shelters and warming centers ahead of the worst conditions.
Throughout the region, airports canceled flights and reported thousands of delays, while DoorDash announced overnight delivery suspensions in New York City and Arlington National Cemetery announced Monday closures.
John Berlingieri, owner of Berrington Snow Management on Long Island, said he anticipated “at least one week of work around the clock.” His company was preparing snow-removal equipment and employees for 24- to 36-hour work shifts to clear snow from millions of square feet of asphalt around shopping malls and industrial parks.
Emergency alerts were sent to New York City residents’ phones, warning them to stay off roads “due to dangerous blizzard conditions.”