A historic winter storm is bringing blizzard warnings and heavy snow to the East Coast, with over 40 million people affected. The storm is expected to be one of the biggest in nearly a decade, with snow totals reaching up to 2 feet in some areas.
More than 40 million people were under blizzard warnings Monday as a historic winter storm hit the East Coast with heavy snow and fierce winds. In many parts of the Northeast, it was forecast to be the biggest winter storm in nearly a decade.
Blizzard warnings stretched from Maryland to Maine, and governors in eight states and several major cities declared states of emergency. More than 2 feet of snow had accumulated in some areas as of Monday morning.
The National Weather Service said 1 to 2 feet of snow could pile up in many areas, with lower snowfall totals in the Mid-Atlantic region.
New York City and parts of Long Island and New Jersey were being hit especially hard. By midday Monday, over 15 inches of snow had accumulated in Central Park, while parts of Brooklyn got 18 to 20 inches. On Long Island, the town of Babylon got more than 29 inches and nearby East Islip got more than 26 inches, CBS News New York reported.
This was the first time in nine years that a blizzard warning has been issued for New York City.
According to the weather service, a storm meets the definition of a blizzard when there is “snow and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to 1/4 mile or less for 3 hours or longer” along with “sustained winds of 35 mph or greater or frequent gusts to 35 mph or greater.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged New Yorkers to stay inside and off the roads for the duration of the storm. He canceled school for Monday and declared a state of emergency that included a citywide travel ban through noon Monday, with streets, highways and bridges shut down to all traffic except essential and emergency services.
Travel restrictions were also issued for New Jersey, New York City and some neighboring areas.
More than half a million homes and businesses were in the dark in the Northeast as of midday Monday, according to PowerOutage.us, with the bulk in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Stronger gusts of 40 mph to 70 mph could also produce drifting snow, hampering visibility and potentially causing whiteout conditions.
Airlines have canceled thousands of flights due to the storm, and major airlines have issued waivers allowing passengers to rebook without extra charge.
For the latest updates on the winter storm, visit onlytrustedinfo.com. Our team of experts provides the fastest and most insightful analysis of breaking news, helping you stay informed and up-to-date on the latest developments.
