A powerful winter storm slammed the U.S. East Coast on Monday, dumping record-breaking snowfall, grounding thousands of flights, and leaving hundreds of thousands without power. The system, described as both a nor’easter and a bomb cyclone, brought widespread disruption from North Carolina to Maine before moving into eastern Canada.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts recorded nearly 37 inches (94 cm) of snow. New York City’s Central Park saw more than 19 inches, marking one of the city’s most significant snow events in recent years. Weather warnings extended across the northeastern United States and into portions of eastern Canada.
More than 600,000 properties across the East Coast experienced power outages at the height of the storm. In Massachusetts alone, nearly 300,000 customers were without electricity, including approximately 85% of Barnstable County, which encompasses Cape Cod.
Rhode Island Breaks Snowfall Records
Rhode Island appeared to bear the brunt of the storm. Providence recorded 36 inches (91 cm) of snow, surpassing the state’s previous single-storm record of 28.6 inches set in February 1978. Meteorologists described the totals as unprecedented.
“It completely smashed it,” Candice Hrencecin, an NWS meteorologist in Boston told, “We were just as shocked as everyone else.”
Officials in Rhode Island and neighboring Connecticut implemented bans on non-essential travel. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey followed with a similar order, citing dangerous white-out conditions.
“White-out conditions are making travel extremely dangerous,” Healey said in a public statement. “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.”
Snowfall Records at US East Coast
Transportation Grounded to a Halt
The storm severely disrupted transportation across the region. In New York City, authorities imposed a temporary travel ban that brought much of the metropolitan area to a standstill. Roads, highways, and bridges were closed before restrictions were lifted at noon local time.
Air travel was hit particularly hard. Flight tracking service FlightAware reported more than 5,706 canceled flights within, into, or out of the United States on Monday alone. At LaGuardia Airport, 98% of outbound flights were canceled, while 91% of departures from John F. Kennedy International Airport were grounded. Both airports typically serve more than 335,000 passengers daily.
Boston Logan International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport also experienced widespread cancellations. By Tuesday morning, an additional 2,000 flights across the U.S. had already been scrapped, with Boston, Newark, and LaGuardia again among the hardest hit.
Cities Struggle With Snow Removal
Snow accumulation left many residents effectively trapped. Sandra Wu, a Long Island resident, told Reuters that her family was unable to open their front door because of the snowdrifts. “My husband went out early through the garage to start digging us out, but it was pointless,” she said.
In Boston, the storm made history in another way. The Boston Globe announced it would not publish a print edition for Tuesday for the first time in its 153-year history. Heavy snowfall prevented printing staff from reaching the press facility. Subscribers are expected to receive combined editions later in the week.
Elsewhere, police in New York City launched an investigation after videos surfaced showing officers being pelted with snowballs in Washington Square Park. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the behavior as “disgraceful” and “criminal.”
Storm Moves North, But Cold Remains
The bomb cyclone, characterized by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure that produces intense winds and heavy precipitation, has since moved into Nova Scotia. However, forecasters warn that strong winds will continue across parts of the Northeast.
In addition, a fast-moving Alberta Clipper system is expected to follow, bringing additional snow, ice, and gusty conditions to the Great Lakes region and northeastern U.S. through midweek.
While snowfall totals are forecast to be lighter than Monday’s record-setting event, freezing temperatures and icy conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, complicating cleanup efforts and potentially prolonging travel disruptions.
As the region begins to dig out, officials continue urging caution, particularly on untreated roads and in areas where power restoration is ongoing.
