Northeast buried by massive winter storm as a new threat quietly builds.

Courtesy:CNBC-TV18

A fast-moving winter storm swept across the northeastern United States overnight, dropping heavy snow, damaging power lines and bringing travel to a standstill for millions. The widespread disruption stretched from the Carolinas to northern Maine and reached into parts of eastern Canada, marking the region’s most intense winter event in nearly a decade. Forecasters warned that several communities would see snow totals climb toward two feet as the system pushed through on Monday.

Areas across New York were hit especially hard, with some locations receiving nearly 15 inches of snow through early morning. The National Weather Service noted that snowfall rates reached three inches per hour in parts of Long Island, creating difficult conditions for both drivers and emergency crews. Heavy bands of snow continued into the morning as residents woke to blanketed streets, closed schools and limited transportation services.

Travel disruptions intensify across the region

The storm created a significant strain on air travel. According to aviation trackers, more than 5,000 flights within, into or out of the United States were cancelled by Monday morning. Airports serving New York City, including John F Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, recorded the highest number of cancellations as runways became coated in deep snow. Several airports in United Kingdom and Ireland also saw flights to the US northeast halted due to the deteriorating conditions.

Public transportation faced its own challenges. In New Jersey, images showed snow piling up around train platforms while crews worked through the night to clear access roads. Officials across the region urged residents to delay any travel plans until conditions improved.

Power outages spread as crews race to restore electricity

The storm also left hundreds of thousands without electricity. Power monitoring services reported that outages surged across Delaware, Massachusetts and New Jersey as heavy snow and strong winds damaged trees and utility poles. Energy providers warned that repair efforts would likely take several days due to the scale of the damage. Workers continued to clear fallen branches and restore downed lines while battling low visibility and icy surfaces.

Major cities enact emergency measures

In New York City, officials issued a travel ban for all non-essential vehicles from late Sunday through midday Monday. Streets, bridges and highways remained closed overnight as plows attempted to keep critical routes passable. Public schools were closed and several buildings were repurposed as warming centers for residents experiencing power-related challenges.
In Boston, where similar snowfall totals were expected, residents prepared by stocking up on essentials as city crews readied salt trucks and plows.
In Philadelphia, the storm brought rapid accumulations and strong gusts that reduced visibility and slowed cleanup efforts.

More than 40 million people across the northeast remained under blizzard warnings, including communities in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Another 19 million faced winter storm warnings as the system moved north.

How the storm developed

Meteorologists described the event as a classic nor’easter, fueled by a powerful collision of polar air and warmer ocean air along the East Coast. The contrast intensified the storm as it moved offshore, bringing heavy snow from North Carolina to Maine and then into Atlantic Canada. Forecast models indicated that some regions would see drifting snow as winds reached near 70 mph, creating conditions similar to those of the blizzard that struck the region nearly a decade ago.

Residents brace for more winter weather

Forecasters warned that another round of snow could reach the region by midweek as a second system travels across the northern United States. For now, cleanup efforts remain underway as residents dig out from one of the season’s most impactful storms.

Source: BBC News