The north-eastern coast of the United States was hit by a major snowstorm, causing travel chaos and school closures. Cities along the coast saw over a foot of snowfall, leading to the suspension of in-person schooling and the cancellation of around 1,200 flights. The storm also resulted in one fatality in Pennsylvania, as a snowmobiler collided with a downed wire.
The snowfall began early Tuesday morning, affecting areas from eastern Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. Winter weather alerts were issued for nearly 50 million people in the region. Some areas experienced the heaviest snowfall in years, with Farmington Connecticut recording 15.5 inches of snow. The blizzard knocked out power for 150,000 residents in Pennsylvania.
The hazardous conditions made travel extremely dangerous and led to minor car accidents in Boston and New York City. To ensure public safety, some areas implemented bans on commercial vehicles on the roads, while officials advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
In New York City, students had to switch to remote learning due to the school closures. However, the transition was not without its challenges, as technical problems prevented the district’s 900,000 students from logging on. Mayor Eric Adams defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of minimizing school days lost during the pandemic. The city’s public schools chancellor, David Banks, placed blame on IBM, which provides log-in software for online learning. IBM acknowledged the issues and stated that they had been largely resolved.
The snowstorm brought an end to a 744-day relative snow drought for New York City, which had not seen more than 2.5 inches of snow in over two years. Central Park received 3.2 inches of snow, making it the snowiest day since January 2022. This scarcity of snow in recent years has become a concerning trend for residents who have witnessed a lengthening of the winter season and hotter weather lasting longer.
Despite the challenges posed by the snowstorm, some residents took the opportunity to embrace the cold and headed to the city’s parks. Bryan Sullivan, a retired city planner, has been skiing in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park for the past 50 years. He noted that in the past couple of years, the number of days suitable for skiing has significantly decreased, indicating a shorter winter season.
As the storm shifted eastward from New York, it affected Connecticut, Rhode Island, and southern Massachusetts. By Tuesday evening, more than 50,000 customers in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts were still without power. Additionally, Nova Scotia in Canada was also expected to experience strong winds and heavy snowfall.
The snowstorm serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of winter weather and the challenges it brings to transportation and daily life. While it may have caused disruptions and inconveniences, it also offered an opportunity for some residents to enjoy the beauty and excitement of a snowy day. As the storm subsides and life returns to normal, communities will work to clear roads and restore power, ensuring that everyone can resume their daily routines safely.
