NEW YORK: Millions of people in the United States’ northeastern parts were engulfed by a powerful snow storm on Tuesday causing flight cancellations and closing schools.
According to the US media reports the airlines cancelled more than 1,220 flights, including 43 percent of flights at New York’s domestic LaGuardia airport and 28 percent of flights at New Jersey’s Newark airport. While almost one in five flights cancelled at New York’s main air hub JFK.
Schools were forced to shut down in New York city and transport operators struggled to provide service after authorities called on the public to avoid driving amid harsh weather conditions.
.@NWSNewYorkNY has issued a Special Weather Statement for NYC: Temperatures will fall below freezing tonight. Melting snow & standing water on area roadways may become icy. Use extra caution if traveling this evening through Wednesday morning, 2/14.
— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) February 13, 2024
Authorities say this is the first time in two years that enough snow had fallen in the country’s most populated city.
“Four to eight inches (10-20 centimeters) of snow and wind gusts up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) per hour expected. Avoid unnecessary travel. If you must travel, use mass transit,” the city’s emergency notification system said in an alert.
New York's Strongest are on the job! https://t.co/48WDucuto3
— City of New York (@nycgov) February 13, 2024
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that more than 32 million people are under a winter storm warning
Many rural areas in the northeast have been completely cut off as snow vehicles are trying to clear roads even as heavy snow continues to cover driving surfaces.
According to meteorologists Hampton Township in New Jersey is affected by 13 inches of snow while Chester area in New York received over 11 inches of snow.
The NWS in an update said heaviest snowfall is expected from eastern Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley, through northern New Jersey, southeast New York, and southern New England including the New York metropolitan area.
