Snow storm weather forecast NYC: New York issues travel ban as city under blizzard warning - severe snow and strong winds expected
An historic winter storm has started lashing the north-east US, placing 59 million people under weather warnings.
States of emergency have been declared in multiple US states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Rhode Island. As of midnight local time (05:00 GMT) on Monday, much of the north-east had already been blanketed in several inches of snow, with 10 inches (25cm) reported in Manorville, New York and Howell, New Jersey, according to the US National Weather Service (NWS).
It has warned that the storm will bring an estimated 2-3 inches (5-7cm) could fall per hour during the storm, and snowfall can reach 1-2ft (30-60cm), resulting in "nearly impossible" travel conditions that were "extremely treacherous". About 40 million people are under blizzard warning, and another 19 million are under winter storm warnings, which cover the Central Appalachians from North Carolina to coastal Maine.
It's the first time in nine years that New York City - the most populous US city - has been under a blizzard warning. It is expected to be hit with 18-24 inches (50-60cm) of snow expected and temperatures dropping to about 20F (-6C).
A full travel ban is in place in New York City from 21:00 local time (02:00 GMT) on Sunday to 12:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Monday, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani saying schools would be closed and all streets, highways and bridges would be shut to traffic - besides for emergencies. Mamdani told a news conference announcing a state of emergency that the most severe snowfall was expected overnight into Monday, with up to 28 inches (70cm) anticipated in certain areas.
This is the second major snowstorm of the first-time mayor's administration, after 19 people died during a three-week cold snap in January. Across the state, the highest wind gusts - up to 65-70mph (104-112km/h) - are expected along the coast, with officials warning of downed tree limbs and power outages.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the whole state ahead of the nor'easter and put 100 members of the National Guard on ready alert. "This will be something the likes of which we've not seen in years," she said. "People will be in the dark. Long Island and New York City and lower Hudson are literally in the direct eye of the storm."
Due to the storm, all Broadway shows on Sunday evening were cancelled and the New York Racing Association has cancelled Sunday's eight horse races at the Aqueduct Racetrack.