A powerful snowstorm has brought the US Northeast to a standstill, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and prompting widespread travel disruptions. Weather forecasters are warning of up to 60cm of snow accumulation.
Flight-tracking data indicates over 5,000 flights were canceled on Monday alone, with further cancellations expected for Tuesday. Major Northeast airports are heavily impacted. Singapore Airlines has canceled multiple flights between New York and Singapore, affecting travel from February 22 to 25. The airline is contacting affected passengers to provide assistance.
The storm stretches along the East Coast, from Washington to New England, with blizzard conditions predicted. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency, mandating a citywide travel ban for non-essential vehicles and urging residents to stay home. This marks the city's first blizzard warning since 2017.
Governor Kathy Hochul has mobilized 100 National Guard members to aid in affected areas of New York. The storm's intensity, with potential wind gusts reaching 112 km/h, raises concerns about falling trees and power outages. New Jersey has also declared a state of emergency, with nearly 80,000 customers reported without power early Monday. The UN headquarters in Manhattan was closed due to the severe weather.