A severe winter storm sweeping across the East Coast of the United States has led to the cancellation of more than 5,000 flights and left hundreds of thousands without power. In parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, snow depth has reached a staggering 94 centimeters, creating critical conditions for infrastructure and travel.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the US National Weather Service, that record-breaking precipitation has been recorded across several states. While New York's iconic Central Park saw over 48 centimeters of snow, Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, broke its 1978 record with 91 centimeters of snowfall.
The storm has caused significant damage to the regional power grid, leaving more than 600,000 homes and businesses without electricity, primarily in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has banned all non-essential travel in the southeastern part of the state and reduced highway speed limits to 25 kilometers per hour. Similar travel restrictions in New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut have effectively emptied major metropolitan areas.
Aviation has been the hardest-hit sector. According to the FlightAware portal, 5,706 flights related to the United States have been completely canceled. At New York's LaGuardia airport, 98% of flights were called off, while JFK International saw 91% of its schedule canceled. Boston's Logan International Airport reported a 92% cancellation rate.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is monitoring the situation as local authorities continue emergency snow removal and restoration efforts. Forecasters warn that adverse weather conditions are expected to persist, likely leading to further disruptions in the coming days. Such extreme winter events often prompt federal emergency declarations to facilitate rapid recovery and financial assistance to affected states.
