The historic winter storm blanketed states from North Carolina to Maine with extraordinary snowfall totals. According to the National Weather Service, parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts received nearly 37 inches of snow. Meanwhile, New York City recorded more than 19 inches in Central Park alone.
Officials reported widespread power outages as the storm intensified across the region. More than 600,000 homes and businesses lost electricity at the height of the blizzard. In Massachusetts, nearly 300,000 customers remained without power, including most of Barnstable County, which covers Cape Cod. Utility crews worked through white-out conditions to restore service.
Travel disruptions quickly mounted as snow buried highways, bridges, and rail lines. Authorities imposed travel bans in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and later Massachusetts to prevent accidents. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey warned residents to stay off roads, citing life-threatening visibility conditions. New York City temporarily shut down major roads and bridges before lifting restrictions at midday.
Air travel faced severe setbacks as airlines grounded thousands of flights nationwide. Flight tracking data showed more than 5,706 cancellations on Monday alone. Nearly all departures from LaGuardia and JFK airports were scrapped, crippling one of the nation’s busiest aviation corridors. Boston, Newark, and Philadelphia also experienced extensive cancellations as runways disappeared beneath heavy snow.
The storm shattered long-standing snowfall records in several communities. Providence, Rhode Island’s capital, measured 36 inches, surpassing its 1978 record of 28.6 inches. Meteorologists described the totals as unprecedented and expressed surprise at the storm’s intensity. Forecasters expect the system to move into eastern Canada, though strong winds may continue.
Beyond transportation, the storm disrupted daily life and business operations. The The Boston Globe announced it would skip a print edition for the first time in its 153-year history. Heavy snowfall prevented printing staff from reaching facilities, forcing delays for subscribers.
Residents described scenes of near paralysis as snowdrifts blocked doors and vehicles. In Long Island, some homeowners could not open front entrances due to deep accumulations. Officials in New Jersey and Connecticut warned that falling trees could worsen hazardous conditions.
Although plows and emergency crews continue clearing roads, recovery will take days. Airlines have already canceled thousands more flights for Tuesday as airports struggle to reopen safely. The East Coast now faces a prolonged cleanup after one of the most severe winter storms in decades.
