Snow started to fall Sunday evening in parts of the northeast, including in Boston, Philadelphia and New York, where some of the harshest conditions are forecasted.
It’s the first time in nine years that New York City – the most populated US city – has been under a blizzard warning. The city is expected to be hit particularly hard with 18-24 inches (0.5-0.6m) of snow expected to fall in the metro area and temperatures dropping to about 20F (-6C).
A full travel ban is in place in New York City from 2100 local time (0200 GMT) on Sunday to 1200 local time (1700 GMT) on Monday, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani saying schools would be cancelled and all streets, highways and bridges would be shut to traffic – besides for emergencies.
During a news conference, Mamdani said the most severe snowfall is expected overnight, with up to 28 inches (0.7m) in certain areas. He declared a state of emergency in the city. This is the second major snowstorm of the first-time mayor’s administration, coming after 19 people died during a three-week cold snap in January.
Across the state, the highest wind gusts are expected along the coast, up to 65 to 70 mph (104 to 112 kph), with officials warning of downed tree limbs and power outages too.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the whole state ahead of the nor’easter storm and activated about 100 members of the National Guard.
“This will be something the likes of which we’ve not seen in years,” she said. “People will be in the dark. Long Island and New York City and lower Hudson are literally in the direct eye of the storm.”
Due to the storm, all Broadway shows on Sunday evening have been cancelled and the New York Racing Association has cancelled Sunday’s eight horse races at the Aqueduct Racetrack.