Icy Chaos: Winter Storm Disrupts Travel Across the Northeast from Washington to Boston

NEW YORK – Icy roads and flight delays led to a sluggish Monday morning at several of the country’s busiest airports after a rapidly moving but intense winter storm unloaded snow along the heavily trafficked Interstate 95 corridor stretching from Washington to Boston.

Although major metropolitan areas such as New York City avoided significant snowfalls, the accumulation was sufficient to cause delays and cancellations of early-morning flights from New York’s three principal airports and Boston Logan International.

The most severe impact of the storm was felt in the interior Northeast, particularly in regions like New York’s Hudson Valley. Hopewell Junction, New York, recorded 8 inches of snow from the weekend storm.

Snow was still falling in early Monday morning in parts of New England.

“Snow is continuing to come down,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Michael Estime reported from Boston. “We have a little more before this event ultimately winds down.”

Accumulations of between 4 and 5 inches of snow were reported in various sections of the Boston metropolitan area.

The snowfall will contribute to the establishment of dangerously low temperatures that will move in throughout Monday.

Areas in the interior Northeast and parts of the mid-Atlantic, including sections of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, experienced the highest snowfall from this storm.

Grantsville, Maryland, noted 10.8 inches of snow, whereas the Delaware Water Gap between Pennsylvania and New Jersey reported 7.8 inches.

Snowfall began across certain Appalachian regions and the mid-Atlantic early Sunday morning, and as the system advanced north and east, it created challenges in the Northeast before eventually affecting New England.

Flakes fell on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where the weather influenced the Eagles’ victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL divisional playoff match.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker declared a snow emergency on Sunday as Eagles supporters were returning home.

“While the total amount of snow has not yet been validated, it is crucial for our Streets Department and all other City departments to be prepared to operate at a snow emergency level,” Parker stated. “We remain dedicated to the safety of our residents, and every department is working around the clock to ensure we are fully equipped.”

Due to the snowfall, combined with potentially life-threatening cold, the governor of New Jersey announced a state of emergency and advised residents to prepare for sub-zero wind chills following the storm’s passage.

“After this weekend’s snowfall, we are anticipating extreme cold with wind chills reaching -10 degrees or lower,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement over the weekend. “Dangerously frigid conditions are expected to last through most of the upcoming week. Please limit your outdoor activities and keep your pets indoors whenever possible.”

Heavy snowfall was descending in northern New Jersey on Sunday evening and had spread throughout the Garden State by nightfall.

Governors from several other states have echoed these worries and advised their residents to prepare not only for the snow but also the brutally cold and hazardous temperatures.

“We’ve only experienced relatively light snowfall this winter so far, but this is the first snowstorm where the majority of the state can expect to see accumulations of more than just a few inches,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. “Stay home if possible and watch football. If you must drive, proceed with caution, and if you encounter a plow, please maintain a safe distance and allow them to perform their duties.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll have also suggested that their residents prepare and review winter weather safety precautions.

“As we keep monitoring the storm, we want everyone to be ready and plan accordingly, particularly those residents and visitors who may have travel plans over the holiday weekend,” Healey stated. “We encourage you to exercise extra caution on the roads from Sunday into Monday morning and take the time to check in with your neighbors to ensure everyone remains warm and secure.”

In Baltimore, the mayor announced over the weekend that the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, scheduled for Monday, has been canceled.

“This decision has been made in response to the severe winter weather, snow accumulation, and icy temperatures predicted for Baltimore,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott wrote on X.

As the strengthening winter storm progressed eastward, its effects were acutely felt at some of the country’s busiest airports.

Officials at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, announced that due to the winter weather conditions, the site would remain closed to visitors and family pass holders for the remainder of Sunday and reopen at 10 a.m. on Monday.

On Sunday, snowflakes fell on crowds awaiting President-elect Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration celebration in Washington. Due to the severe cold and windy conditions, Monday’s inauguration has been moved indoors.

“I have instructed that the Inauguration Address, along with prayers and other speeches, be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda, as was done by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also due to very frigid weather. Various dignitaries and guests will be ushered into the Capitol,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday. “We will open Capital One Arena on Monday for LIVE viewing of this Historic event and to host the Presidential Parade. I will join the crowd at Capital One, following my Swearing In.”

By Sunday evening, snowfall totals throughout the Northeast ranged between 3 and 5 inches, with isolated locations reporting higher totals of 7 inches.