Major airports in New York, Boston and New Jersey reported thousands of flight cancellations due to winter storm in US
A strong winter storm has hit the northeastern United States, creating massive disruption across several states. The storm has cancelled more than 11,000 flights and left over 500,000 homes and businesses without electricity. Officials say the impact may continue for several days as cleanup work and power restoration efforts move ahead.
The storm brought heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures and powerful winds, making travel dangerous and daily life difficult for millions of people.
Record Breaking Snowfall
The storm covered eight northeastern states with thick snow. In many places, snowfall crossed two feet, and some areas received even more.
New York City’s Central Park recorded nearly 20 inches of snow, marking one of the heaviest snowfalls in over ten years. Parts of Long Island received more than 22 inches. Providence, Rhode Island recorded 32.8 inches of snow, breaking a record that had stood since the Blizzard of 1978.
Strong winds made the situation worse. In some coastal areas, wind speeds reached up to 70 miles per hour. These winds created whiteout conditions, reduced visibility and formed huge snowdrifts on roads and highways.
Flights And Travel Hit
The storm badly affected air travel across the country. More than 11,000 flights scheduled between Sunday and Tuesday were cancelled due to severe weather.
Major airports in New York, New Jersey and Boston saw large numbers of delays and cancellations. Thousands of passengers were stranded as airlines struggled to manage the sudden disruption.
Also Read: Nepal Road Tragedy: 18 Dead After Pokhara–Kathmandu Bus Falls Into Trishuli River
Train services also suffered. Amtrak suspended important routes, including the busy line between New York and Boston, because snow made the tracks unsafe. Road travel became extremely risky, and officials asked people to avoid unnecessary travel.
Massive Power Outages
Heavy snow and strong winds knocked down trees and power lines across several states. As a result, more than 500,000 homes and businesses lost electricity.
Massachusetts was among the worst affected, with more than 280,000 customers without power. New Jersey reported over 93,000 outages. States like New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island also saw major power cuts.
Electricity companies sent repair crews to restore power, but officials warned that it may take several days to fully restore services, especially in hard-hit and rural areas.
Emergency Warnings Issued
During the peak of the storm, over 40 million people were under weather alerts across the Northeast. Blizzard warnings were issued from Virginia to Massachusetts, covering densely populated regions.
Several states declared emergencies. Authorities imposed travel bans in some areas to allow snow-clearing teams and emergency workers to operate safely.
In New York City, officials temporarily closed schools, highways and bridges at the height of the storm. Public transport services in many cities ran on limited schedules or were suspended.
Economic Impact Felt
The storm also affected businesses and markets. Natural gas prices increased briefly because of higher heating demand as temperatures dropped sharply. However, in areas without electricity, heating systems could not function normally.
Retail shops, restaurants and service businesses reported losses because customers stayed home. The tourism and hospitality sectors were also affected as travellers cancelled or postponed their plans due to flight disruptions.
Cleanup And Recovery
By Monday afternoon, snowfall began to reduce in several places, and visibility slowly improved. However, icy roads, fallen trees and damaged infrastructure continued to create problems.
Snowplows, repair teams and emergency crews worked continuously to clear roads and restore power. Authorities advised residents to remain cautious and stay away from fallen power lines.
More Weather Ahead
Weather experts warned that another storm system could arrive later in the week. Although details are not clear yet, officials have asked people to stay prepared in case conditions worsen again.
This powerful winter storm has already caused major disruption across the northeastern United States. With thousands of flights cancelled, hundreds of thousands without power and emergency measures still in place, recovery efforts are expected to continue for several days.
khushisikarwar is an award-winning journalist and content creator who thrives on telling stories that matter. As a key contributor to Newsisland, [she] focus on cultural commentary, providing readers with thought-provoking insights.
