New York Wakes Up to Heaviest Snowfall in Four Years; State of Emergency Declared

Washington DC: Residents of New York City and the surrounding Northeast woke up on Saturday to the most significant snowfall the region has seen in nearly four years. Central Park recorded 4.3 inches of snow, the highest single-storm total since January 2022, while neighboring areas in New Jersey and Connecticut saw accumulations exceeding 9 inches. The “after-Christmas” storm turned the Tri-State area into a winter wonderland but also brought significant danger to post-holiday travelers. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for more than half of the state’s counties as the storm intensified overnight Friday.

The New York City borough of Brooklyn on Saturday

The storm’s impact on travel was immediate and severe. According to flight-tracking data, nearly 700 domestic flights were canceled on Saturday, primarily at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, with an additional 3,000 delays reported nationwide. In response to the life-threatening cold, New York officials activated a “Code Blue” emergency, ensuring that all homeless individuals have access to indoor shelter.

While the heaviest precipitation ended by Saturday morning, the National Weather Service warned that below-freezing temperatures would leave secondary roads hazardous and icy through the remainder of the weekend.