‘Epic’ blizzard paralyzes NYC, NJ area with over foot of snow, transit disruptions, school closures

This snowstorm is one for the books.

New York and New Jersey residents awoke Monday morning to a region shut down by a blizzard that dropped more than a foot of snow and will continue through at least the late afternoon.

Public transit was disrupted or suspended altogether, though subways were still running, with severe delays on many lines. A travel ban was in effect for all non-essential vehicles in New York City and New Jersey until noon. Public school students across the metro area were being treated to a retro snow day with no remote learning. And tens of thousands of residents were without power, mostly in New Jersey but also on Long Island and in eastern Queens.

The National Weather Service said around 2 feet of snow could fall by the storm’s end, with higher amounts possible in certain areas. Meteorologists and officials warned of heavy bands of snow through Monday morning dropping 2-3 inches per hour, along with up to 60 mph winds creating whiteout conditions.

By 7 a.m., more than 15 inches of snow was measured in Central Park, more than 18 inches in Newark and nearly 23 inches in Islip, according to NWS. Strong wind gusts were recorded throughout New York and New Jersey overnight, with the highest amounts in Suffolk County.

New York City officials said several more inches of snow would accumulate into Monday afternoon and evening due to redeveloping snow bands.

“That is pretty incredible, especially after the winters we’ve seen,” said James Tomasini, a meteorologist with NWS. “The past couple of years have been much quieter — a little warmer, with less snow. So, it’s definitely made a rebound this year.”

He said the snowfall was within the top 20 biggest snowstorms in Central Park’s history.

A blizzard warning was in effect until 6 p.m. Monday. NWS said coastal flooding was expected to be widespread, with potential major impacts on Long Island.

Getting around the city early Monday was akin to an Olympic sport. Massive snowdrifts lined the streets, wind gusts were blowing and sheets of snow were falling fast. Few people or cars were out at the normally congested Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Travel will remain treacherous and being outdoors potentially life-threatening throughout the blizzard, NWS said. The agency said downed tree limbs, power outages and property damage were ongoing concerns.

On the subways, some express lines were making local stops, according to the MTA. The Long Island Railroad suspended service and the Metro-North Railroad was running hourly on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines. The Wassaic, New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branches were operating on a weekend schedule. Access-A-Ride stopped taking reservations Sunday night and recommended that paratransit riders call for updates on when trips will resume.

MTA Chair Janno Lieber told WNYC’s “Morning Edition” that mass transit is the best way to travel during the snowstorm for those who can’t stay home. He said buses have been equipped with chains on their tires, though they are running less frequently than normal. He also said both elevated and underground subway stations are open.

“The region is getting pounded, but the MTA’s subway and bus system is operating,” he said. “We have service on all of our lines.”

Lieber said the MTA is working with the city to ensure people who are seeking warmth in underground subway stations can get into warming shelters.

Power outages have been one of the most significant impacts from the storm so far, New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell said on “Morning Edition.” She said the Rockaways have been hit hard with outages and several warming centers have opened for those who have lost power, including at Far Rockaway and Beach Channel high schools.

Farrell said the city has activated a task force to respond to trees and branches that have fallen from the heavy winds. A tow-truck task force is also towing stranded cars, she said. She urged New Yorkers to avoid driving even after the travel ban lifts.

“The roads are still rough. It’s still not a pleasant day out there. It’s a great day to stay home,” Farrell said. “Let the first responders, let the public servants work on clearing out the city and just give it a little more time.”

Local utility companies said crews were working around the clock to restore power to affected communities. It was unclear when all service would be restored, but the companies said many of their customers already had their power back on.

Roughly 3,000 flights into and out of Newark, JFK and LaGuardia airports had been canceled by 7 a.m., according to flight tracker FlightAware.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said New York City had not seen a snowstorm this powerful since at least 2016, when 27.5 inches of snow fell in Central Park. He said city officials were doing everything they can to bring vulnerable people into shelters and warming sites.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul likened the blizzard to the type of whiteout experienced in her native Buffalo, where the weather pattern known as lake-effect snow can dump extraordinary amounts of powder in a short period.

During an appearance on 1010 WINS on Monday morning, Hochul praised New Yorkers for staying off the roads during the “epic storm.” She warned more power outages were likely across the state as the snow kept falling.

“The day is not over,” she said.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said on “Morning Edition” early Monday that outdoor conditions were “very bad,” but crews were working to clear roads and streets of downed trees and branches. NJ Transit was digging out its rail lines and addressing some power outages, she added.

“Make some snow ice cream, build a snowman, but stay home right now,” Sherrill said.

The blizzard comes nearly a month after a snowstorm that dropped around a foot of snow on the metro area. That storm on Jan. 25-26 coincided with a deadly cold stretch that lasted for around three weeks and left more than 20 people dead from hypothermia, most of them outside. Mamdani’s administration faced criticism for not doing enough to get people safely indoors.

The snow from the January storm had started to melt away when the forecast began to hint at the mammoth blizzard.

Mamdani on Sunday deployed 22 warming buses citywide and opened warming centers at 11 city-run hospitals and 13 schools. He said homeless outreach teams would be out trying to convince people to get indoors. New Yorkers can seek help for homeless individuals who need shelter during the storm by calling 311 or 212-NEW-YORK.

The forecast for the coming week features high temperatures above the freezing mark. Meteorologists said the snow will begin to melt soon, unlike last month’s storm.

Here’s a rundown of key things to know as you start your day:

• MTA subway and bus service is running with delays.
• LIRR service is suspended.
• Metro-North is running on a limited schedule.
• New Yorkers should not drive within the five boroughs until noon. (Exemptions are in place for essential workers.)
• Similar travel bans are in place in the suburbs.
• NJ Transit train, bus, light Rail and access link service is suspended.

This story has been updated with additional information.