Millions of people across the Northeast woke up to the start of a winter snowstorm that could bring the biggest snowfall in more than two years as early accumulations wreaked havoc on the morning commute.
Projected snowfall amounts have decreased and the National Weather Service predicts 5 to 8 inches of snow could accumulate in the Big Apple.
The strong northeast wind is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds and coastal flooding throughout the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England.
“Winter will return with a vengeance as the storm advances with a blast of colder air that will set the stage for more typical conditions for the middle and second half of February,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde.
According to FlightAware.com, there were at least 1,130 flight cancellations within, to or from the United States today.
New York's LaGuardia Airport has been hit hard by weather-related delays and cancellations. At least 224 flights departing from LaGuardia were canceled and 188 flights bound for the airport were canceled.
Millions of people across the Northeast woke up to the start of a winter snowstorm that could bring the biggest snowfall in more than two years
The country's largest school system in New York City said it would move to remote learning and close its buildings on Tuesday because of the looming storm.
The country's largest school system in New York City said it would move to remote learning and close its buildings on Tuesday because of the looming storm.
New York City public schools began their day off with technical problems that prevented students from accessing their remote learning.
“We are currently experiencing issues with services that require IBM authentication to log in,” the school system said on X at 8:22 a.m
“We are actively working with IBM on the solution. We will provide an update as soon as possible.'
“With several inches of snow, poor visibility on roads and possible coastal flooding, New Yorkers should prepare for tomorrow's storm and take the necessary precautions to stay safe,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. “If you don’t need to be out tomorrow, please stay home.”
According to the National Weather Service, some of the highest snowfall amounts were predicted for the northern suburbs of New York City and southwestern Connecticut, where 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters) were possible. Wind gusts could reach speeds of 60 miles per hour (100 km/h) off the Massachusetts coast and 40 miles per hour (65 km/h) inland southern New England.
“It's going to be a chaotic commute tomorrow morning,” Christina Speciale, a meteorologist with the weather service in Albany, New York, said Monday. “This is a fast-moving storm, so everything should be cleared by tomorrow afternoon.”
The National Weather Service predicts the storm will move quickly and intensify quickly as it passes south of Long Island.
They are forecasting a five to six hour period Tuesday morning where snowfall rates could reach 1 to 5 inches per hour.
According to AccuWeather, the heavy snowfall could lead to dangerous road conditions that could prevent plowing.
Adams said on If you need to travel, please use public transport.