Powerful Snowstorm Disrupts Eastern United States, Thousands of Flights Cancelled

A powerful snowstorm that hit the eastern United States on Monday has led to the cancellation of more than 5,000 flights and affected millions of people. Record-breaking snowfall has severely disrupted transportation, electricity supply, and air travel across several states.

According to the U.S. National Weather Service, parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts received up to 33 inches (83 cm) of snow. In New York City, more than 19 inches of snow accumulated in Central Park, according to the BBC. Authorities described travel conditions in New York as “nearly impossible.”

More than 600,000 homes and businesses across eastern states lost power, with New Jersey and Massachusetts among the hardest hit. Blizzard warnings were issued from North Carolina to Maine, while parts of eastern Canada were also placed on alert.

Weather officials warned that an additional one to two feet of snow could fall by Tuesday morning. The heaviest snowfall was recorded in Rhode Island, where the capital city Providence received 33 inches—breaking the previous record of 28.6 inches set in February 1978. It is being described as the largest snowfall in the state’s history.

Travel restrictions were imposed in Rhode Island and neighboring Connecticut, allowing only essential travel. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey banned non-essential driving in southeastern parts of the state and limited highway speeds to 40 miles per hour, citing dangerous “whiteout” conditions and urging residents to stay home.

Around 300,000 customers in Massachusetts were left without electricity, including 85 percent of consumers in Barnstable County, which includes the Cape Cod region. In New York City, home to over 8 million residents, travel restrictions temporarily brought the city to a near standstill before being lifted after noon.

The storm also severely impacted air travel. According to flight-tracking site FlightAware, more than 5,675 flights within, into, or out of the United States were cancelled on Monday. Approximately 98 percent of flights at LaGuardia Airport and 91 percent at John F. Kennedy International Airport were cancelled.

Most flights were also cancelled at Logan International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport. Authorities expressed concern that falling trees and broken branches in Connecticut and New Jersey could further worsen road conditions. In Providence, more than 300 vehicles had to be removed by crane after obstructing snow-clearing operations.