Massive Snowstorm Paralyzes Northeast U.S., Millions Affected as Recovery Efforts Begin

A record-breaking snowstorm has unleashed chaos across the northeast United States, forcing millions to remain at home, disrupting schools, and grounding thousands of flights. The storm, which meteorologists have described as the most powerful in a decade, left over 24 inches (61 cm) of snow in some areas, with more snow potentially on the way.

As residents and municipal workers worked tirelessly to clear snow, specialized snow-clearing machines, including one nicknamed "Darth Vader," were deployed to excavate major roads and railways. In certain cities, mass transit began to resume operations on Tuesday, while power was restored to parts of the hundreds of thousands of residents who had lost electricity across Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island.

In New York City, schools were closed on Monday due to the severity of the storm, but Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that classes would resume in-person on Tuesday, despite concerns over the safety and practicality of navigating snow-covered pavements. Meanwhile, Rhode Island's TF Green International Airport halted operations on Monday after it recorded nearly 38 inches (97 cm) of snow, surpassing a record set in 1978.

The storm’s impacts were felt across the region, with New York’s Central Park recording 19 inches (48 cm) of snowfall, and Warwick, Rhode Island, measuring the highest snow accumulation at 36 inches (91 cm). On top of the snow, strong winds, including hurricane-force gusts of up to 134 km/h (83 mph), battered the coastlines, with Nantucket, Massachusetts, experiencing the highest wind gusts.

By Tuesday, over 2,000 flights had been cancelled, with the worst disruptions affecting airports in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, as per FlightAware. With more snow predicted for the coming days, recovery efforts in the region remain in full swing as authorities continue to clear roads and restore essential services.

The storm has left residents scrambling to dig out and deal with the aftermath, while also raising concerns about future severe weather events. This major snowstorm serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather conditions.