Record Snowstorm Hits US East Coast
A significant snowstorm struck the US east coast on Monday, delivering record-breaking snowfall that disrupted daily life for millions and resulted in thousands of flight cancellations.
According to the National Weather Service, parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts experienced nearly 37 inches (94 cm) of snow, while New York City's Central Park recorded over 19 inches.
Travel and Power Disruptions
Travel conditions in New York were described as "near impossible" by a state agency. More than 600,000 homes and businesses along the east coast suffered power outages, with New Jersey and Massachusetts among the hardest hit areas.
Winter storm warnings extended from North Carolina to northern Maine, with some warnings also issued for parts of eastern Canada further north.
The National Weather Service forecasted continued snowfall throughout Monday, with some regions near the northeast coastline expected to accumulate between 1 to 2 feet (61 cm) of snow by Tuesday morning.
Rhode Island Records Worst Snowstorm
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US, appeared to receive the heaviest snowfall during the storm, marking its worst snowstorm on record as reported by local media.
Providence, the state capital, recorded 36 inches of snow, surpassing the previous record of 28.6 inches set in February 1978.
"It completely smashed it," Candice Hrencecin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boston, told the New York Times. "We were just as shocked as everyone else."
Travel Bans and Safety Measures
Authorities implemented bans on non-essential travel in Rhode Island and neighboring Connecticut. Later, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also imposed a travel ban.
"I'm issuing a travel ban on all non-essential driving in Southeastern Massachusetts — and reducing the speed limit on the Pike to 40mph [25kmh]," she stated in an online post, referring to a major highway in the state.
"Whiteout conditions are making travel extremely dangerous," she added. "If you get stuck, help will have a hard time reaching you... I strongly urge everyone to stay off the roads no matter where you live."
In Massachusetts, nearly 300,000 customers were without power, including 85% of residents in Barnstable County, which encompasses all of Cape Cod, according to poweroutage.us.
New York City and Surrounding Areas
New York City, home to over 8 million people, came to a near standstill due to a travel ban that was lifted at noon local time. All roads, highways, and bridges were closed during the ban.
In Connecticut and New Jersey, concerns were raised about falling trees and branches potentially causing hazardous road conditions and additional power outages.
In Providence, a city spokesman informed The Providence Journal that over 300 vehicles had been towed for obstructing snowplough operations.
By Monday afternoon, towing operations ceased, and drivers began assisting those whose vehicles had become stuck.
Flight Cancellations Impact Travel
Travelers within the US faced significant difficulties on Monday due to the storm.
Flight tracking website FlightAware reported more than 5,706 flight cancellations within, into, or out of the US.
The site indicated that 98% of flights departing from New York's LaGuardia Airport were cancelled, along with 91% of flights from JFK Airport, New York City's primary airport hub that typically handles over 335,000 passengers daily.
Both airports had experienced approximately 15 inches (38 cm) of snow.
Boston's Logan International Airport cancelled 92% of outgoing flights on Monday, Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey cancelled 92%, and Philadelphia International Airport reduced departures by 80%.
