A severe snowstorm swept across the US east coast on Monday, bringing travel to a standstill, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of homes, and forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights.
From Rhode Island to northern Maine, communities faced record snowfall, with cities grappling with dangerous road conditions and authorities urging residents to stay indoors. Airports were overwhelmed, leaving travelers stranded as snow continued to fall through the day.
The National Weather Service reported that parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts recorded nearly 33 inches of snow, while Central Park in New York saw over 19 inches. Officials warned that snow accumulation could reach one to two feet in some northeastern coastal areas by Tuesday morning, making travel hazardous and complicating emergency response.
Rhode Island experienced its heaviest snowfall ever recorded. Providence, the state capital, received 33 inches, surpassing the previous record of 28.6 inches set in February 1978.
"It completely smashed it," Candice Hrencecin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston, told the New York Times. "We were just as shocked as everyone else."
In response to the storm, Rhode Island and Connecticut issued bans on non-essential travel. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey later imposed a similar travel restriction.
"I'm issuing a travel ban on all non-essential driving in Southeastern Massachusetts — and reducing the speed limit on the Pike to 40mph (25kmh)," she said online, referencing a major highway in the state.
"Whiteout conditions are making travel extremely dangerous," she added. "If you get stuck, help will have a hard time reaching you... I strongly urge everyone to stay off the roads no matter where you live."
New York faced equally challenging conditions. A temporary travel ban slowed movement in the city of more than eight million people before being lifted at midday. Officials described the situation as "near impossible" for commuters and emergency services.
Power outages spread across the region. More than 600,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity, with New Jersey and Massachusetts hardest hit. In Massachusetts, close to 300,000 customers lost power, including 85 percent of residents in Barnstable County, which encompasses Cape Cod.
Falling trees and branches created additional risks in Connecticut and New Jersey, prompting officials to warn of worsening road conditions and potential further outages.
Providence authorities reported towing more than 300 vehicles that had blocked snowplows. Later in the day, efforts shifted to helping stranded drivers whose cars were stuck in heavy snow.
Air travel across the region was severely affected. FlightAware recorded over 5,675 cancelled flights within, into, or departing the United States on Monday.
New York airports experienced the highest disruptions, with 98 percent of flights from LaGuardia and 91 percent from JFK cancelled. Both locations had recorded approximately 15 inches of snow. Boston's Logan International Airport and Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey each cancelled 92 percent of outgoing flights, while Philadelphia International Airport suspended 81 percent.
As snow continued to accumulate, emergency crews worked tirelessly to clear roads and restore power. Residents remained advised to avoid unnecessary travel as winter storm warnings stretched across the northeastern states.
