A powerful winter storm has blanketed parts of the United States East Coast with heavy Snow, causing widespread disruptions and travel warnings. The blizzard has affected several states from New York to Maine, creating difficult conditions for residents and travelers.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), some areas received more than 22 inches of Snow during the storm. Central Park recorded around 15.1 inches, while parts of Long Island reported nearly 22.5 inches. The intense snowfall created dangerous road conditions and limited visibility across the region.
The storm also marked the first time in nine years that New York City was placed under an official blizzard warning. Authorities said the combination of heavy Snow, strong winds, and freezing temperatures created hazardous conditions for transportation.
New York City officials declared a local state of emergency ahead of the blizzard. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced several emergency measures to protect residents. Roads, highways, and bridges were closed to most vehicles beginning Sunday night.
Officials said the restrictions would remain in place until Monday afternoon. During this time, only essential and emergency travel was permitted. Snowploughs and emergency vehicles were allowed to operate to clear roads and assist residents.
The city also closed schools for the day because of the severe Snow conditions. Instead of switching to remote learning, officials announced a traditional snow day for students. Warming centers were opened across the city to help residents stay safe during the storm.
State authorities warned of “whiteout conditions,” which occur when blowing snow reduces visibility to near zero. Because of these conditions, residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
The heavy snowfall also disrupted air travel across the region. Airlines were forced to cancel thousands of flights due to the blizzard. More than 5,400 flights were cancelled nationwide, according to aviation officials.
LaGuardia Airport in New York was among the airports most affected by the severe weather. Many passengers experienced delays and cancellations as airlines struggled to manage the situation.
Weather experts say winter storms like this can create major challenges for cities and transportation systems. Authorities continue working to clear roads and restore normal operations.
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Officials have urged residents to remain cautious until conditions improve. The massive Snow storm is expected to take time to fully clear as cleanup efforts continue across affected areas.
