Storm Delivers Over a Foot of Snow to Parts of US Northeast, Reports Reuters

Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow to New England and New York City

By Brendan O’Brien and Rich McKay

A powerful winter storm moved through New England on Tuesday, delivering over a foot of snow in some areas and marking New York City’s first significant snowfall in nearly two years.

Approximately 13 million people from New York City and northern into southern New England remained under a winter storm warning until 7 p.m. local time. The Nor’easter inundated the region with heavy, wet snow and wind gusts reaching up to 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Midday reports indicated that several locations received more than a foot of snow, including Farmington, Connecticut, and Sussex, New Jersey, where totals exceeded 15 inches.

In Fall River, Massachusetts, businesses faced challenges as the storm disrupted plans. Robin Metivier of Main Street Florist had to cancel all Valentine’s Day flower deliveries due to the weather. "It’s the day before Valentine’s Day and I had to tell my customers we can’t do it," she explained while observing the snow from her shop window.

In Boston, expectations for a substantial snowfall did not materialize, with the city recording only about an inch by midday, as the storm shifted southward. The New York City area also saw the snow taper off by midday, leaving accumulations ranging from 3 to 8 inches, perfect for sledding and snowball fights.

Louis Mendez, the manager of a local hardware store, reported high demand for sleds and shovels. "Between today and yesterday, we’re totally out of sleds and shovels," he noted.

This storm marked the conclusion of New York City’s recent "snow drought," which lasted almost two years. A brief snowfall in mid-January had hinted at the drought’s end, but the current storm proved to be significantly more impactful.

City officials reported that over 2,000 plow trucks were deployed to salt and clear roads. They urged property owners to shovel their walks, emphasizing safety as icy conditions were expected as temperatures dropped.

Jan Gautam, director of a snow removal service, was busy coordinating his team throughout the storm, explaining that their work included frequent returns to maintain clear and safe conditions in various locations across the city.

The storm also caused power outages, affecting about 130,000 homes and businesses across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

In light of the severe weather, many school districts canceled in-person classes, including New York City, which transitioned to remote learning for its million students. Additionally, over 1,100 flights to and from major airports in the region experienced delays or cancellations due to the storm’s impact.