Nor'easter paralyzes Northeast with record snowfall, thousands stranded

A massive winter storm struck the northeastern United States on Monday, dumping more than 2 feet of snow across the region and forcing millions of people to stay home under blizzard warnings and road travel bans. The National Weather Service called it a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter,” the strongest storm in a decade, with wind gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour in some areas. Schools closed across major cities, including New York City, which had its first “old-school” snow day in six years, and more than 5,600 flights were canceled as the storm disrupted transportation along the Eastern Seaboard.

The combination of record snowfall and hurricane-force winds created what meteorologists described as ideal conditions for a dangerous nor’easter, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and raising questions about infrastructure resilience in the region.

The Nor’easter Strikes

Winter arrived with fury across the northeastern United States on Monday. A massive nor’easter dumped more than 2 feet of snow from Maryland to Maine, and the National Weather Service characterized the system as a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter”—the strongest to strike the region in a decade, with wind gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour across multiple states.

Even international affairs paused before the storm’s intensity. The United Nations postponed a Security Council meeting as the system intensified.

Record snowfall was documented across the region. Central Park received 19 inches, while Warwick, Rhode Island exceeded 3 feet—the highest accumulation in the nation so far. Nantucket recorded the highest wind gust at 83 miles per hour, with hurricane-force winds documented across Cape Cod.

Owen Shieh, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, attributed the heavy snowfall to ideal conditions. The storm hit what he called a “Goldilocks situation”—just the right temperature for wet, heavy snow. “Any warmer and its precipitation wouldn’t have fallen as snow, any colder and there wouldn’t have been as much moisture in the air to feed that snowfall,” Shieh said.

The dense, wet snow forced Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport to temporarily end all operations Monday. The facility received nearly 38 inches of snow, breaking a record set in 1978.

Cascading Disruption

Air travel ground to a halt across the region. More than 5,600 flights in and out of the United States were canceled Monday, with a further 2,000 flights scheduled for Tuesday grounded, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Most cancellations involved airports in New York, New Jersey and Boston.

Public transit networks also faced significant disruptions. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Monday evening that most subway lines were operational after earlier delays, with the exception of Staten Island, where rail service remained suspended. Commuter rail to suburbs north and east of New York City was expected to resume limited service ahead of the Tuesday morning commute.

More than 450,000 utility customers nationwide remained without power Monday evening, according to PowerOutage.us, as heavy, wet snow and strong winds brought down trees and damaged electrical infrastructure.

In Connecticut, crews at the Mystic Seaport Museum worked to clear snow from historic vessels, including the 113-foot-long Charles W. Morgan, a 19th-century wooden whaling ship. Shannon McKenzie, vice president of watercraft operations and preservation, said staff would clear the snow by hand using rubber or plastic shovels to avoid damaging the historic boats.

Schools Reopen Despite Concerns

New York City closed schools Monday, marking the first “old-school” snow day in six years. Most districts across the Northeast followed suit, with Philadelphia switching to online learning and districts on Long Island preparing to remain closed for a second day Tuesday.

But New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday classes would resume in person, prompting criticism from officials who said conditions remained hazardous. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said schools should remain closed because “roads are impassable and sidewalks are blocked.”

Chancellor Kamar Samuels defended the reopening decision on social media, citing accessibility concerns. The district “couldn’t be 100% certain” that every student would have access to the devices needed for remote learning, despite officials’ efforts to distribute them ahead of the storm, Samuels wrote. “We are confident in our decision to reopen,” he added. “Our schools and city are ready to welcome students and staff back tomorrow.”

The United Federation of Teachers, the New York City teachers union, advised its members to prioritize their safety when deciding whether to report to work.

The Storm in View

For some, the snow brought unexpected moments of pause in a fast-moving city. Luis Valez, a concierge at a residential tower just off Wall Street, cleared the sidewalk as the snow continued. “It’s very quiet, except for the howling winds,” he said. “A couple of residents have gone out to get their essentials. Other than that, there’s nothing.”

Matthew Wojtkowiak, a 57-year-old attorney shoveling in his Brooklyn neighborhood, found the storm manageable. “I’m from the Midwest, so this is in the zone,” he said. “Not too bad, not too easy, either.” He said he hoped neighbors would take the opportunity to enjoy the snow. “We have sleds at the ready,” he said.

Adele Bawden, visiting New York from the United Kingdom, marveled at the transformation the snow had wrought on the city’s streets. “We’ve been dancing in Times Square this morning in the middle of the road in rush hour,” Bawden said. “We’ve just been dancing and not believing we could do it.”

Ingrid Devita, who patrols the Lower East Side on skis during winter storms, continued her volunteer work helping those stranded in the snow. “I find people fall in the snow and they can’t get up,” she said.

The National Weather Service said it was tracking another storm that could bring more snow to the region later in the week, suggesting the region’s disruptions may persist beyond Monday’s initial blow.