Millions of people across the Northeast woke up to the beginning of a winter snowstorm that could bring its largest snowfall in over two years, as the early accumulations wreaked havoc on the morning commute.
Forecasted snowfall totals have dropped and the National Weather Service predicts the Big Apple could accumulate five to eight inches of snow.
The strong nor’easter is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds and coast flooding throughout the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England.
‘Winter will return with a vengeance as the storm moves along a push of colder air that will set the stage for more typical conditions for the middle and latter part of February,’ said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde.
There have been at least 1,221 flight cancellations within, into or out of the United States today, according to FlightAware.com.
New York’s LaGuardia Airport has been deeply impacted by weather related delays and cancellations. At least 226 flights out of LaGuardia have been cancelled and 191 flights with destinations to the airport have been cancelled.
People walk through the snow in Central Park as it accumulates over an inch of snow for the first time in years
The nation’s largest school system in New York City said it was switching to remote learning and closing its buildings Tuesday because of the impending storm
A worker spreads an ice melting agent on the sidewalk in New York City on Tuesday
The National Weather Service forecasts the storm will be quick moving and will rapidly deepen as its passes south of Long Island
There have been at least 1,179 flight cancellations within, into or out of the United States today. Pictured: snow on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy Airport
The nation’s largest school system in New York City said it was switching to remote learning and closing its buildings Tuesday because of the impending storm.
New York City Public Schools started its day off experiencing technical issues that prevented students from accessing their remote learning.
‘We are currently experiencing issues with services that require IBM authentication to login,’ the school system said on X at 8:22 a.m.
‘We are actively working with IBM to resolve. We will provide an update as soon as possible.’
Furious parents have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing their desire for the school system to give their kids a snow day rather than a day of remote learning.
‘The NYC Department of Ed is doing that stupid thing today where, rather than just giving kids a snow day like all the generations before them, they’re making everyone have online school through Google Classroom. At about 8:30 this morning, the whole system crashed,’ said parent Ethan Campbell.
Peter Beadle said, ‘Just give up and declare a Snow Day. You shouldn’t worry about switching to remote learning unless it’s a particularly snowy winter and we’ve used up the 3-4 days that used to be allowed for snow days.’
As of 7 a.m., Central Park had accumulated 1.2 inches of snow, LaGuardia Airport accumulated .6 inches and John F. Kennedy Airport accumulated .4 inches, according to New York City Emergency Management.
The Big Apple remains under a travel advisory and people are suggested to avoid travel, but if they have to they should use public transit.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams posted a video on X of himself out on the streets in Queens, wrapped up in his $700 Fendi scarf.
‘The roads are not bad, but you know, just some wet, heavy snow that’s coming down. And we’re going to continue to monitor as the day goes on. It’s great to see that there’s little or no cars out on the road,’ he said.
A person rides on a bicycle through wind and snow. Drivers for ride-sharing platforms Uber, Lyft and food delivery app DoorDash after expected to strike for fair pay across the country on Wednesday
As of 7 a.m., Central Park had accumulated 1.2 inches of snow, LaGuardia Airport accumulated .6 inches and John F. Kennedy Airport accumulated .4 inches
The Big Apple remains under a travel advisory and people are suggested to avoid travel, but if they have to they should use public transit
The National Weather Service forecasts the storm will be quick moving and will rapidly deepen as its passes south of Long Island
‘With several inches of snow, poor visibility on the roads, and possible coastal flooding heading our way, New Yorkers should prepare in advance of tomorrow´s storm and take the necessary precautions to remain safe,’ New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. ‘If you do not have to be on the roads tomorrow, please stay home.’
Some of the highest snowfall totals were forecast for the northern suburbs of New York City and southwestern Connecticut, where 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) were possible, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts could hit 60 mph (100 kph) off the Massachusetts coast and 40 mph (65 kph) in interior parts of southern New England.
‘It will make for a messy commute tomorrow morning,’ Christina Speciale, a meteorologist for the weather service in Albany, New York, said Monday. ‘This is a fast-moving storm, so things should be cleared out by tomorrow afternoon.’
Adams told NY1 Monday evening that migrants will not be moved from Floyd Bennet Field tent shelter during the storm.
‘We’re fairly comfortable in stating that the way the tents are pitched is going to allow the snow to fall off, so we don’t feel that there’s going to be an issue with the wind gusts,’ he said.
The New York Post reported Adams said he will pause a rule that requires migrants to re-apply for a shelter spot after 30 or 60 days on Tuesday. Meaning if a migrants stay expires on Tuesday they will not be kicked out.
The National Weather Service forecasts the storm will be quick moving and will rapidly deepen as its passes south of Long Island.
They predict a five to six hour period on Tuesday morning where snowfall rates could reach one to two inches per hour.
The heavy rate of snow could lead to hazardous road conditions and poor visibility that could prevent them from getting plowed, according to AccuWeather.
Adams said on X, ‘@NYCSanitation plows and spreaders are on the streets. Please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. If you must travel, please use public transportation.’
Drivers for ride-sharing platforms Uber, Lyft and food delivery app DoorDash after expected to strike for fair pay across the country on Wednesday.
A TikTok user named Emily posted a video of herself trekking in the New York City snow saying, ‘New Yorkers, if you were thinking of leaving your apartment today, don’t.’
Another user commented, ‘Thanks for confirming that I made the right decision to wfh [work from home].’
‘I made it half way to the train before I decided to turn back and inform my boss I will be working from home,’ said a user named Jessica.
A person shovels snow off a sidewalk in Philadelphia on Tuesday
A person crosses a street during a winter snow storm in Philadelphia
Millions of people across the Northeast woke up to the beginning of a winter snowstorm that could bring its largest snowfall in over two years
A boy cleans snow off a car in Tappan, New York
A car drives along Main Street as snow falls in Tappan, New York
A man walks on a snow covered road during a snowfall at Hudson County in New Jersey
Commuters drive through snow in Norwood, New Jersey, on Tuesday
Rain turned to snow early Tuesday morning across central and northern New Jersey. Pictured a firepit and chairs covered in snow in Summit, New Jersey
Rain changed to snow early this morning across south-central to eastern Pennsylvania, central and northern New Jersey and southern New England.
The heaviest snowfall is forecast from eastern Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley, through northern New Jersey, far southeast New York and southern New England. Some areas especially over southern New England are expected to see as much as 6 to 12 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.
AccuWeather reported 8.8 inches of snow recorded in Wantage, New Jersey on Tuesday morning and 4 to 7 inches of snow in Hartford, Connecticut.
Over 140,000 customers are without power in Pennsylvania as the storms heavy winds and snow hits the state, according to PowerOutage.us.