US Snowstorm: Heavy snowfall wreaked havoc in the eastern states of America on Monday. The area from Maryland to Maine was affected, due to which millions of people had to stay in their homes. Traffic came to a standstill and schools and businesses closed amid high winds and blizzard warnings.
Meteorologists said that this was the most powerful storm of a decade. More than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow fell in many places in the metropolitan area. Record breaking snowfall occurred at some places. This completely affected the traffic and even the United Nations had to postpone the Security Council meeting. Officials declared a state of emergency. Schools also remained closed in New York City, and the city got its first snow day in six years. People were also facing the problem of power cuts.
Chance of snowfall again
The National Weather Service said that as this snowfall moved north and subsided in some areas, they were keeping an eye on a new storm next week that could bring more snow to the area. The weather service called Monday’s storm a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter.” A bomb cyclone occurs when a storm’s pressure drops rapidly within 24 hours. This occurs mainly in autumn and winter, when cold Arctic air collides with warm air from the south.
Meteorologists’ reaction
Although this storm was difficult and dangerous for people, meteorologists were also praising its beauty and power. Owen Shieh, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center in Maryland, said the temperatures were perfect for snow to fall. If it was too hot, it would rain, and if it was too cold, there would be less moisture in the air and less snow would fall.
situation in new york
In Lower Manhattan, there were more snow shovelers than office visitors. People were walking easily on the roads, which are usually full of traffic in the morning. “It’s very quiet, the only sound is the wind. Some residents have gone to get essentials, nothing else,” said Luis Valez, a concierge at a residential tower near Wall Street. Wojtkowiak, 57, a mathematician from Brooklyn, was also clearing snow in his neighborhood. “I’m from the Midwest, so it’s fine for me. Not too hard, not too easy,” he said. He expressed hope that people would come out and enjoy the snow.
Feedback from tourists and locals
Tourists Karen Smith and Adele Bowden, who came to New York from Britain, said, “We danced in the streets in Times Square. We couldn’t believe we could do this.” Ingrid DeVita said she likes to patrol the Lower East Side on skis to help people stuck in the snow.
snowfall record
- 19 inches (48 cm) of snow fell in New York City’s Central Park.
- More than 3 feet (91 centimeters) of snow fell in Warwick, Rhode Island, the most in the country so far this year.
- The highest wind recorded in Nantucket was 83 mph (133 km/h). Hurricane-like winds were seen everywhere in Cape Cod.
Preparation at special places
Employees at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut prepare to remove ice from historic ships. These include the 113-foot long whaling ship named Charles W. Morgan of the 19th century American merchant fleet. Shannon McKenzie, vice president of watercraft operations, said machines or metal shovels could cause damage, so snow will be removed by hand with rubber or plastic shovels.
Emergencies and flight cancellations
- New York, Philadelphia and other cities declared states of emergency.
- More than 5,600 flights were canceled on Monday.
- Another 2,000 flights were canceled for Tuesday.
- Around 2,500 flights are facing delays.
Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport temporarily closed all operations. There was 32.8 inches (83.3 cm) of snow, more than the record set in 1978.
Traffic and delivery affected
Public transit was halted in some places, while in New York City DoorDash halted deliveries overnight. Weather experts said that due to strong winds and heavy snow, trees may break and power may remain shut for a long time.
- More than 4,50,000 consumers across the country were in the dark.
- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said subway lines were mostly running, except in Staten Island, where service was still suspended.
- Trains running on the outer line will run late.
- Bus passengers may have to wait a long time.
Relief efforts for the homeless
Aid workers are trying to get homeless New Yorkers into shelters and heating centers.
Cultural sites and schools
- New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Washington DC’s Arlington National Cemetery remained closed.
- Broadway shows were canceled Sunday night.
- Public schools remained closed in New York City and Boston on Monday.
- Online education took place in Philadelphia.
- Schools on Long Island and the New York suburbs will also be closed Tuesday.
Mayor’s message
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that classes would resume from Tuesday. He said, “You can hit me with a snow ball.” He also told students to “stay comfortable and stay warm.”
