A massive snowstorm pummeled the northeast United States from Maryland to Maine on Monday, forcing millions of people to stay home amid strong wind and blizzard warnings, transportation shutdowns, and school and business closures. New York City remains under a state of emergency, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during an afternoon news briefing.<\/p>\n
Snow fell at a rate of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) an hour early Monday from New York through Massachusetts. Some areas have gotten well over a foot (30 centimeters) of snow since Sunday, along with wind gusts of over 30 mph (48 kph) and low visibility.<\/p>\n
More than 5,000 flights in and out of the U.S. were canceled for Monday, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. Most were canceled in New York, New Jersey and Boston.<\/p>\n
Here’s the latest:<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBroadway to remain dark for another day<\/p>\n
Broadway shows were closed Monday for the second consecutive day.<\/p>\n
While Monday is a traditional day off in the theater district, five productions \u2014 \u201cHarry Potter and the Cursed Child,\u201d \u201cChicago,\u201d \u201cEvery Brilliant Thing,\u201d \u201cThe Great Gatsby\u201d and \u201cSix\u201d \u2014 had been slated to open their doors and will now shutter them.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMamdani: \u2018We will see 40-degree weather sometime this week\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we\u2019re talking about the previous storm, we\u2019re talking about a level of arctic conditions that the city had not seen for many, many years and unlike in prior storms after the snowfall, there wasn\u2019t an increase in temperature,\u201d Mamdani said, referring to not having reports of fatalities since the start of the current storm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThough it is a blizzard, one of the few pieces of good news is that we will see 40-degree (4.4 degree Celsius) weather sometime in this week,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew Jersey\u2019s travel ban has been lifted<\/p>\n
In a message posted on social media, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said she had lifted a ban that had been in effect since 9 p.m. Sunday.<\/p>\n
However, the Democratic governor said, \u201cWe still strongly urge residents to stay off the roads and stay inside,\u201d citing the ongoing snowfall and dangerous conditions.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNYC remains under a state of emergency<\/p>\n
Crews have been busy since the start of the storm, working to clear streets, according to Mamdani. About 2,600 sanitation employees are staffing each shift, and 2,300 plows are helping clear snow, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI continue to encourage all non-emergency traffic \u2014 cars, trucks, scooters and e-bikes \u2014 to remain off the roads. We are plowing streets and doing everything we can to keep our roadways clear so that emergency vehicles can get through,\u201d Mamdani said.<\/p>\n
Parts of Staten Island have been hit hard, prompting extra clearing equipment to be sent there. About 11,000 utility customers in the Rockaways were without power Monday morning, but electricity to about 8,000 has since been restored.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew York City schools to reopen<\/p>\n
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a midday news conference that kids will return to school in person on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The city canceled classes on Monday due to the storm, with Mamdani calling it the \u201cfirst old-school snow day since 2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore say they\u2019ve experienced extreme cold, AP-NORC poll finds<\/p>\n
Many Americans\u2019 lives have been upended by bitterly cold temperatures this winter.<\/p>\n
About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they\u2019ve been personally affected by severe cold weather or winter storms in the past five years, according to a new AP-NORC poll.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s up from about half last year.<\/p>\n
In a warming world, people\u2019s reactions to cold weather are subjective. Abnormally cold winters are happening less frequently in North America, but experts say Americans are now experiencing extreme cold more intensely when it happens.<\/p>\n
About 7 in 10 Americans say their electricity bills have been higher than usual because of extreme cold over the last year. Many have also experienced a work or school cancellation, a power outage, or a travel cancellation or delay.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCanceled flights? Seek a refund or rebook<\/p>\n
U.S. airlines are required to provide refunds for flight cancellations.<\/p>\n
Or, when airlines expect bad weather to create problems for flights, they often give travelers a chance to postpone their trips by a few days without having to pay a fee.<\/p>\n
Carriers like JetBlue, Delta, Southwest and American are already offering options for select impacted customers to rebook their trips at no cost.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommercial travel ban remains in effect in Connecticut<\/p>\n
State Emergency Management Director William Turner also urged residents to stay off the roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile a full travel ban is not in effect, the travel is still very treacherous,\u201d he said during a news conference.<\/p>\n
Joshua Cingranelli, the state meteorologist, said parts of southeastern Connecticut so far received about 20 inches (51 cm) of snow while wind gusted to 68 mph (109.4 kph) at Groton-New London Airport along the coastline.<\/p>\n
Official blizzard conditions were reported in Groton, Meriden and Waterbury, he said.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018We\u2019re dressed for Houston currently\u2019<\/p>\n
Benjamin Lundell and Thomas Mehari, network consultants on a business trip from Sweden, were among those stranded in New York, after their flight to Texas was canceled Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re dressed for Houston currently,\u201d said Lundell, as he trudged through knee-high snow in a thin jacket and jeans in search of a new hotel in Manhattan. \u201cIt\u2019s a crazy day \u2026 but it\u2019s been an adventure.\u201d<\/p>\n
One upside to the blizzard: Katz\u2019s Deli, the famed pastrami shop, for once didn\u2019t have a line.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were a lot of free tables,\u201d Lundell said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t know it was a popular place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSnowfall counts are climbing<\/p>\n
Snowfall totals reached 2 feet (61 centimeters) on Monday morning in southeastern Massachusetts, Long Island in New York and parts of New Jersey and Rhode Island, according to reports made to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCoffee, but no customers<\/p>\n
Ali Atoun was bundled up in a parka and hood as he worked in a Manhattan coffee truck, where he had opened up at 6 a.m.<\/p>\n
He was warm enough, he said. But customers? \u201cVery few.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018We\u2019re not out of the woods yet\u2019<\/p>\n
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is warning that more electricity outages are likely as the snow freezes, pulling tree branches onto power lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not out of the woods yet,\u201d he told WFSB-TV shortly before 11 a.m. \u201cThis storm\u2019s got at least a few more hours to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said roughly 20,000 homes were out of power so far.<\/p>\n
Given the large amount of snow, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said cities and towns will be allowed to dispose of snow piles in bodies of water, subject to various restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis additional flexibility will allow towns to more easily clear road access for emergency vehicles, and will prevent negative impacts from blocked drainage infrastructure, like localized flooding,\u201d according to a news release from the department.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUniversities navigate remote classes and more<\/p>\n
Nonessential employees at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, were told not to report to campus Monday and to instead work remotely if possible. Essential employees, however, were asked to report to work as scheduled unless instructed otherwise.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Harvard directed faculty, students, staff, academic personnel, and others to check their school communications channels for academic and school-specific schedule modifications.<\/p>\n
In New York, Columbia University campuses moved to remote instruction, though essential personnel were still expected to report for work.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe scene on Mary<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tland\u2019s Eastern Shore<\/p>\n
Snow covered Ocean City\u2019s boardwalk after the beach community received more than 12 inches (30.5 cm) of the white stuff. The town was under a blizzard warning issued by the weather service until Monday evening.<\/p>\n
Scattered power outages were reported, along with some traffic lights not working, according to the city\u2019s Facebook page.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur teams are actively assessing roadways, infrastructure, and critical services throughout the Town to ensure we have a clear understanding of storm impacts and can prioritize response efforts where they are needed most,\u201d said JR Harmon, the deputy city manager.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTravel is banned in New Jersey<\/p>\n
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said a statewide travel ban would be extended until at least noon Monday, citing high winds and whiteout conditions that persist across the state, creating \u201cextremely dangerous travel conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
The travel restriction excludes the New Jersey Turnpike and certain essential personnel, including health care workers, officials said. Anyone who violates the ban could face penalties.<\/p>\n
Sherrill said most people are following the travel ban, which \u201cis appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018Just gotta take small shovelfuls\u2019<\/p>\n
Vince Lisi was helping his neighbors shovel in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a wide enough path for people to walk their dogs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Lisi, a graphic designer in his early 60s, said the snow was heavy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am out of breath, but I\u2019m almost done,\u201d he said, adding that he\u2019d been out about 30 minutes. \u201cI know I\u2019ll be out here again.\u201d<\/p>\n
His tip? \u201cJust gotta take small shovelfuls.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u2018It\u2019s very quiet, except for the howling winds\u2019<\/p>\n
Most subways continued to operate in New York City, though rush hour crowds were largely absent.<\/p>\n
In Lower Manhattan, snow shovelers appeared to outnumber commuting office workers, and pedestrians walked freely in streets normally blocked by morning traffic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very quiet, except for the howling winds,\u201d said Luis Valez, a concierge at a residential tower just off Wall Street, as he cleared the sidewalk. \u201cA couple residents have gone out to get their essentials. Other than that, there\u2019s nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nearby, Pelle Andersson, an in-house chef at Spotify, stepped off a city bus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere won\u2019t be anyone there, but we have to prepare for tomorrow,\u201d he said, noting that he was Swedish and accustomed to extreme weather.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the real deal, even for a Swede,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOther public transit services are suspended<\/p>\n
DART \u2014 Delaware\u2019s multi-modal transit system \u2014 says all services statewide will not operate Monday due to the storm.<\/p>\n
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority\u2019s regional Wilmington\/Newark line is also temporarily suspended.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTravel bans in Rhode Island and Connecticut<\/p>\n
Commercial vehicle travel restrictions are in place on all roads across both states. Vehicles transporting emergency supplies and\/or emergency personnel are exempt from the restrictions.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew Jersey speed limits lowered<\/p>\n
Speed limits on New Jersey interstates and state highways have been lowered temporarily to 35 mph (56.3 kph) under an emergency traffic regulation order.<\/p>\n
The order started Sunday afternoon and includes the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPublic transit delays in New York<\/p>\n
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City says some express trains are running local on Monday and riders should expect delays. Some delays could be severe, especially on lines running above ground.<\/p>\n
Bus riders also should expect longer waits as articulated buses have been removed from service during the storm.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Long Island Rail Road service has been fully suspended until further notice, while the Metro-North Railroad is operating on a reduced schedule in some areas.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStaying safe from winter weather dangers<\/p>\n
1. Stay indoors, but be mindful. Home heating systems running for hours can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Carbon monoxide can also be created when people use portable generators or run cars in their garages to stay warm or charge their phones.<\/p>\n
2. If you have to go out, limit your time and dress appropriately. Prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures and\/or wet clothing can put people at risk of hypothermia, a condition that happens when one\u2019s body loses heat faster than it can produce it.<\/p>\n
3. Protect your pipes from freezing. Jose Parra, a master plumber with Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical in Houston, advises people to insulate any pipes exposed to the outside, turn off and drain sprinkler systems and let faucets inside drip during freezing temperatures.<\/p>\n
4. Check on people who may have difficulty finding a warm and safe place to stay, including people with disabilities and homeless individuals.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Read more<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s a bomb cyclone?<\/p>\n
The weather service referred to the storm as a \u201cclassic bomb cyclone\/nor\u2019easter off the Northeast coast.\u201d But what does that mean?<\/p>\n
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, certain storms undergo bombogenesis, which happens when a storm\u2019s central pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. These storms are sometimes called bomb cyclones. Storm intensity is measured by central pressure, so the lower the pressure, the stronger the storm.<\/p>\n
Such rapidly strengthening storms can produce heavy rain, blizzard conditions and intense winds that can lead to downed trees and power outages.<\/p>\n
Bomb cyclones can occur in any season, but primarily develop during fall and winter when frigid air from the Arctic can creep south and clash with warmer air masses.<\/p>\n
\u25b6 Read more<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTravel impacts<\/p>\n
More than 5,000 flights in and out of the United States were canceled for Monday, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. Most were canceled in New York, New Jersey and Boston.<\/p>\n
Public transit also was suspended in some areas. And DoorDash announced it was suspending deliveries in New York City overnight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds will continue to produce blizzard conditions along the Northeastern Seaboard,\u201d the weather service said Monday. \u201cSharply reduced visibility will make travel extremely treacherous across these areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMillions are stuck at home<\/p>\n
Heavy snow and strong winds have intensified, creating whiteout conditions in a large swath of the northeastern U.S.<\/p>\n
The National Weather Service called travel conditions \u201cnearly impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blizzard warnings stretched from Maryland to Maine. Cellphones across New York City received wailing push alerts Sunday night announcing a ban on non-emergency travel on all streets through noon Monday because of \u201cdangerous blizzard conditions.\u201d Rhode Island and New Jersey implemented similar restrictions.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReported snowfall<\/p>\n
22.5 inches (57 centimeters) at New York, Long Island MacArthur Airport<\/p>\n
About 15 inches (38 centimeters) fell in New York City\u2019s Central Park<\/p>\n
About 18 inches (46 centimeters) in Newark, New Jersey<\/p>\n
17 inches (43 centimeters) in New London, Connecticut<\/p>\n
17 inches (43 centimeters) in North Kingstown, Rhode Island<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A massive snowstorm pummeled the northeast United States from Maryland to Maine on Monday, forcing millions of people…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":143048,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[25536,41720,18924,118,9,24,55,54,56],"class_list":["post-143047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-york-city","tag-ap-business","tag-ap-climate-and-environment","tag-ap-u-s-news","tag-associated-press","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-new-york-city-headlines","tag-new-york-city-news","tag-ny"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=143047"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/143047\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/143048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=143047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=143047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=143047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}