East Coast Braces for Major Blizzard, Travel Disrupted
A powerful winter storm is poised to bring blizzard conditions to the East Coast, prompting states of emergency and widespread travel cancellations. Millions of residents from New York to New England are under blizzard warnings as the storm arrives on Sunday, threatening significant disruptions to daily life.
Blizzard Warnings Issued Across the Northeast
Blizzard warnings are in effect for New York City, New Jersey, and coastal communities along the East Coast, marking the first blizzard warning for New York City in nine years. The National Weather Service (NWS) has also issued a blizzard warning for parts of southern New England, the first in four years .
Forecast: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds
Meteorologists are forecasting 12-18 inches of snow accumulation in the New York metropolitan area, with potential snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet in many areas across the Northeast. Snowfall rates could reach 1-2 inches per hour, and even higher rates are possible Sunday night. The storm will be accompanied by steady winds of 25 to 35 mph, creating dangerous travel conditions and the potential for downed tree limbs and power outages.
State of Emergency Declared
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Saturday and activated approximately 100 members of the National Guard. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also declared a state of emergency, beginning Sunday at noon, anticipating “severe blizzard conditions.” Officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, are urging residents and visitors to stay off the streets, particularly in low-lying areas prone to flooding.
Travel Chaos: Thousands of Flights Canceled
Airlines are preemptively canceling flights in anticipation of the storm. Delta Air Lines and JetBlue have already canceled numerous flights for Sunday and Monday at New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Boston airports. As of Sunday, more than 2,700 flights have been canceled, with the majority impacting the New York City metro area. JetBlue has canceled approximately 1,200 flights scheduled between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday, with the possibility of further cancellations. American Airlines has also canceled hundreds of flights.
New York City Prepares for Impact
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is urging residents to stay indoors and off the roads throughout the duration of the storm. The city is deploying over 700 salt spreaders and converting more than 2,000 garbage trucks into snowplows. Mayor Mamdani also announced a program to hire residents to clear sidewalks.
Rapidly Intensifying Storm
The National Weather Service increased its assessment of the storm’s severity in recent days, noting that it had been projected to be less ferocious earlier in the week. The storm could arrive with rainfall in some areas before quickly worsening Sunday afternoon and evening.
Potential for Flooding
In addition to heavy snow and strong winds, flooding is possible in parts of New York and New Jersey.