Winter Storm Snarls Holiday Travel Across US Northeast, Great Lakes

New York City received nearly 4 inches (10.2 centimeters) of snow Friday night into early Saturday; this was slightly below some estimates. At least 1,500 flights were canceled as of Friday night, according to flight tracking service FlightAware. However, towards the morning, both the roads and the sky were clearing.

“The storm is definitely abating, we’ve got some showers in the Northeast this morning,” said Bob Oravec, a Maryland-based National Weather Service forecaster.

The storm moved from northwest to southeast, with the heaviest snowfall in the New York City area reaching over 6 inches (15 centimeters) on east-central Long Island, Oravec said. Farther north in the Catskills, communities saw 10 inches to 25 centimeters.

Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports posted snow warnings on social media platform X on Friday, warning that weather conditions could cause flight disruptions.

The National Weather Service warned of hazardous travel conditions from the Great Lakes to the northern Atlantic and southern New England, with the potential for tree damage and power outages.

In Times Square, workers in red overalls tried to clear streets and sidewalks covered in mud and dust, using shovels and snow blowers.

Jennifer Yokley, who was there on a holiday trip from North Carolina, said she was excited to see the snow piling up as she dusted off buildings, trees and signs in the city.

“I thought it was absolutely beautiful,” he said.

Payton Baker and Kolby Gray, visiting from West Virginia, said the snow was a Christmas surprise for their third-anniversary trip.

“It was very cold and very unexpected,” Baker said, his breath visible in the wintry air. “The city does a pretty good job of salting all the roads and everything, so it’s fine.”

Before the storm, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for more than half of the state. New Jersey Acting Governor Tahesha Way also declared a state of emergency in that state.

“This storm will cause hazardous road conditions and impact holiday travel,” Way said in a statement. “We urge travelers to avoid traveling during the storm and allow crews to check the roads. Motorists should plan their trips accordingly, monitor conditions and road closures, and follow all safety protocols.”

4 dead in California On the other side of the country, California experienced a very dry weekend after severe storms battered the state with heavy rains, flash floods and mudslides. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says at least four people were killed, including a man found dead in a partially submerged car near Lancaster on Friday.

Some mountainous areas received 10 to 18 inches (25 to 45 centimeters) of rain over three days, peaking on Christmas Eve, National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said. Varying amounts of rain fell in the Los Angeles Basin and other populated areas, including up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) along many coastal areas.

In Wrightwood, a mountain town of 5,000 about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, there was significant damage to homes and cars as floods and mudslides turned roads into rivers and buried vehicles in rocks and debris.

Before rain reappears in the forecast next week, California was expected to experience Santa Ana winds with gusts over 60 mph in mountainous areas from Sunday night into Tuesday. Winds can cause waterlogged trees to be uprooted and power outages.