Heavy Snow Hits Northeast, Cities Push Residents to Clear Paths

A massive snowstorm has dumped more than three feet of ice‑packed flakes in parts of the Northeast, breaking old snowfall records and forcing towns to mobilize. In Rhode Island, a single storm has surpassed the 1978 blizzard that claimed 100 lives, with T. F. Green Airport recording 32. 8 inches of snow and Warwick receiving 36. 2 inches. The record‑breaking total is expected to climb as more measurements come in. Governments have responded with emergency measures. New York City declared the storm officially over at 4:30 p. m. , but reminded property owners that sidewalks must be cleared by 8:30 p. m. The city also lifted its travel ban, urging caution and slow driving. Meanwhile, Rhode Island’s governor kept the state emergency and travel ban active to allow overnight plowing, while Massachusetts issued a nonessential travel ban for its southeastern counties and cut speed limits on the Turnpike to 40 mph. Public transportation has been largely halted or delayed. Amtrak and New Jersey Transit suspended all services, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ran reduced routes, and the NYC subway faced line suspensions and rerouting. Boston schools remained closed through Tuesday due to the snow emergency.Air travel suffered heavily, with over 6, 000 flights canceled nationwide. New York’s three major airports saw about 90 % of departures grounded, Boston Logan had 92 % canceled, and Rhode Island’s T. F. Green Airport lost 87 %. Flights are still likely to be disrupted into Tuesday as conditions improve. Officials advise staying home whenever possible. If travel is unavoidable, check road reports, inform someone of your route, keep fuel or battery full, and pack an emergency kit. The storm’s intensity—winds up to 75 mph, visibility below a quarter mile for hours—fits the National Weather Service’s definition of a blizzard. Meteorologists note that such storms often stem from rapidly deepening low‑pressure systems, known as bomb cyclones, and can evolve into nor’easters that threaten coastal flooding. In summary, the Northeast is grappling with a historic blizzard that has shattered snowfall records, disrupted travel and public services, and required residents to take active steps for safety and mobility.