Additional Coverage:
East Coast Braces for Major Winter Storm: Blizzard Warnings Issued for Millions
A powerful winter storm is poised to deliver heavy snow and fierce winds to the East Coast, placing nearly 30 million people under blizzard warnings. The late-winter system, expected to arrive on Sunday, threatens significant disruption to the start of the new week, with major metropolitan areas like New York City and Boston directly in its path.
Blizzard warnings have been issued for New York City, New Jersey, and coastal communities across the East Coast. Meteorologists are predicting a storm of unusual magnitude for such a densely populated region. Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, noted, “While we do get plenty of these nor’easters that produce heavy snow and strong impacts, it’s been several years since we saw one of this magnitude across this large of a region in this very populated part of the country.”
New York City, in particular, is facing its first blizzard warning in nine years, with forecasts indicating 12-18 inches of snow accumulation in the metro area. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged New Yorkers to remain indoors and off the roads.
This marks the second major snowstorm of his administration, following a previous event that tragically resulted in 19 deaths due to severe cold. The city is mobilizing over 700 salt spreaders and converting more than 2,000 garbage trucks into snowplows.
Mayor Mamdani also extended an offer to hire residents for sidewalk clearing, stating, “You too can become an emergency snow shoveler.”
In anticipation of the nor’easter, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Saturday and activated approximately 100 members of the National Guard. Similarly, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency beginning Sunday at noon, citing expected “severe blizzard conditions across our state” and advising residents to avoid travel from Sunday through Monday.
Southern New England is also under its first blizzard warning in four years, with CBS Boston reporting that the storm is expected to impact the city and surrounding areas from Sunday night through Monday afternoon.
Rapidly Evolving Storm System
The National Weather Service has upgraded its assessment of the storm’s potential severity, which was initially projected to be less intense just days prior. Blizzard warnings now cover New York City, Long Island, southern Connecticut, and coastal communities in New Jersey and Delaware, with 1 to 2 feet of snow possible in many areas.
The Northeast could see 6-18 inches of snow, while the Mid-Atlantic anticipates lower totals. Additionally, localized flooding is a concern for parts of New York and New Jersey.
CBS News meteorologist Andrew Kozak warned that several major Northeast cities under blizzard warnings, including New York City and Boston, “will have a combination of wind blowing snow, and reduced visibilities that are going to be very dangerous across the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, beginning Sunday afternoon and intensifying into the evening. Kozak stated, “By Sunday afternoon, colder air rushes in, the snow starts to pile up, and very, very quickly.” The storm may start with rainfall in some areas on Sunday before transitioning to heavy snowfall, with rates of 1-2 inches per hour expected by Sunday night, and potentially exceeding 2 inches per hour.
The National Weather Service has cautioned that steady winds of 25 to 35 mph will “make travel dangerous, if not impossible.” Scattered downed tree limbs and power outages are also possible due to snow accumulation and strong winds.
Officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, have urged residents and casino visitors to stay off the streets, particularly in low-lying, flood-prone neighborhoods. Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Evans emphasized the danger of hidden floodwaters under snow, advising, “So you won’t be able to see it until it’s too late, so therefore please stay at home.”
This storm arrives as the remnants of a previous severe snowstorm were finally melting away.
Airlines Announce Widespread Flight Cancellations
Major airlines have begun canceling flights in the region. Delta announced cancellations for Sunday and Monday at New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Boston, offering flexible rebooking options for affected customers.
According to flight tracker FlightAware, over 1,000 flights scheduled for Sunday have been canceled, with the majority impacting the New York City metro area. Delta has canceled 203 flights, while JetBlue has canceled 388. For Monday, FlightAware reports more than 1,200 canceled flights, including 510 by JetBlue and 440 by Delta at New York City and Boston airports.
JetBlue confirmed Saturday night that it has canceled approximately 1,200 flights between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday, with further cancellations possible. The airline stated, “The safety of our customers and crewmembers is our first priority, and we will continue to track the storm to determine if additional operational adjustments will be required.”