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Shattering Snowfall Records (Image Credits: Upload.wikimedia.org)
New England states – A ferocious nor’easter known as Winter Storm Hernando pummeled the Northeast with blizzard conditions on Monday, shattering snow records and leaving more than half a million homes and businesses without power at its peak.[1][2]
Shattering Snowfall Records
Providence, Rhode Island, recorded 32.8 inches at T.F. Green International Airport, smashing the previous record from the 1978 blizzard by a wide margin.[1] Unofficial reports placed totals as high as 37.9 inches nearby, while Whitman, Massachusetts, saw 33.7 inches.[3] The National Weather Service confirmed three feet of snow at several spots in Rhode Island.
“This appears to be the most historic blizzard we’ve received,” said Josh Estrella, spokesman for Providence.[2] New York City’s Central Park measured nearly 20 inches, marking the ninth-highest total on record and the heaviest in a decade.[1] Heavy, wet snow combined with hurricane-force winds created dangerous “heart attack snow” conditions across the region.
Massive Power Disruptions
Nearly 300,000 customers in Massachusetts lost power, with more than 85 percent affected on Cape Cod by Monday evening.[1] New Jersey reported about 100,000 outages, contributing to the regional total exceeding 650,000 at one point.[4] Winds gusting up to 98 mph on Cape Cod snapped tree limbs and downed lines, slowing restoration efforts.
Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts urged residents to stay off roads, noting that gusts over 60 mph hindered crews.[2] Poweroutage.us tracked the widespread blackouts across seven states, from Rhode Island to Maryland.
Travel Gridlock and Emergency Measures
More than 5,600 flights faced cancellation nationwide on Monday, with nearly all departures scrapped at New York and Boston airports.[1] NJ Transit suspended all trains, buses, and light rail indefinitely, while over 350 vehicles stranded on icy Massachusetts roads.
States issued travel bans: Rhode Island’s Governor Dan McKee declared an emergency, and Massachusetts restricted movement in three counties.[2] New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani boosted pay for over 800 emergency shovelers to $30 an hour and kept schools open Tuesday.
| Location | Snow Total (inches) |
|---|---|
| Providence, RI (T.F. Green) | 32.8 |
| Warwick, RI | 36.2 |
| Whitman, MA | 33.7 |
| Central Islip, NY | 31 |
| Central Park, NYC | 19.7 |
Path to Recovery
Cleanup crews deployed smaller plows and shovels in hard-hit areas like Providence, where equipment got stuck in deep drifts.[4] Boston Mayor Michelle Wu reported fewer emergency calls as residents hunkered down effectively.
Forecasters warned of more snow midweek, complicating efforts amid refreezing melt and icy roads.[2] Officials emphasized patience, with line crews prioritizing restoration despite ongoing gusts.
- Record snow shattered 1978 benchmarks in Rhode Island and ranked high in NYC.
- Over 500,000 power outages peaked amid 98 mph winds.
- Thousands of flights canceled; travel bans saved lives by keeping roads clear for plows.
As the Northeast digs out from under historic drifts, communities face a multiday slog back to normalcy, testing resilience forged by past storms. What challenges are you facing from the blizzard? Share in the comments.
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