Record Snowfall Paralyzes U.S. East Coast with Over 5,000 Flights Canceled

A powerful winter storm battered the U.S. East Coast on Monday, bringing record-breaking snowfall that has left the region in a state of emergency. According to BBC reports, snow depths reached a staggering 94 cm (36 inches) in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, while New York City saw accumulations of up to 48 cm.

The extreme weather rendered roads impassable and left more than 600,000 homes and businesses without electricity. In Rhode Island, the 36-inch snowfall set a new all-time state record, prompting authorities in Providence to restrict traffic, while Connecticut and Massachusetts imposed bans on all non-essential travel. The crisis was particularly acute in Barnstable County, where 85% of residents lost power, and New York City was forced to temporarily suspend urban transit operations.

The storm’s impact on the aviation sector has been catastrophic. According to data from FlightAware, a total of 5,706 domestic and international flights were canceled on Monday. Major hubs faced near-total shutdowns, with LaGuardia Airport canceling 98% of its schedule, followed by JFK International at 91%, and both Boston Logan and Newark Liberty canceling upwards of 92% of their flights. 

Additionally, over 300 vehicles were towed across the region for obstructing critical snow removal efforts. The disruption is expected to persist into Tuesday, with over 2,000 further flight cancellations already projected, primarily affecting New York and Boston as crews continue to battle the historic conditions.