At a Glance
- 1,500 flights canceled across the Northeast and Great Lakes due to snow
- California floods kill 4 people amid heavy rains
- State emergencies declared in NY, NJ, and CA
- Why it matters: Travelers and residents faced disruptions, road closures, and power outages across the country.
A powerful snowstorm knocked out more than 1,500 flights across the Northeast and Great Lakes region during the busy holiday travel period. New York City received about 4 inches of snow Friday night, slightly below forecasts. By Saturday morning, roads and skies were clearing.
Bob Oravec, a Maryland-based forecaster with the National Weather Service, said the storm was moving from northwest to southeast and was winding down, with flurries in the morning.
- New York City: 4 inches
- Long Island: >6 inches
- Catskills: up to 10 inches
Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International, and LaGuardia posted snow warnings on X, cautioning that weather could disrupt flights.
The National Weather Service warned of hazardous travel conditions from the Great Lakes through the northern mid-Atlantic and southern New England, with potential tree damage and power outages.
In Times Square, workers in red jumpsuits cleared streets with shovels and snowblowers.
Jennifer Yokley said:
> “I think it was absolutely beautiful.”
Payton Baker said:
> “Well, it’s very cold, and it was very unexpected. The city is working pretty well to get all the roads salted and everything, so it’s all right.”
Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for more than half the state, and Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way did the same for New Jersey.
Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way said:
> “This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel. We are urging travelers to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to tend to the roads. Drivers should plan their travel accordingly, monitor conditions and road closures, and follow all safety protocols.”
Roads began clearing as crews worked through the night.
California Floods and Mudslides
While the East Coast battled snow, California endured a dry weekend before heavy rains turned into flash flooding and mudslides, killing 4 people.
A man was found dead Friday in a partially submerged car near Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Rose Schoenfeld, a National Weather Service meteorologist, reported that mountainous areas received 10-18 inches of rain over three days, peaking on Christmas Eve.
Other areas received up to 4 inches across the Los Angeles Basin and many coastal areas.
Wrightwood, a 5,000-resident mountain town 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, suffered severe damage as floods and mudslides turned roads into rivers and buried vehicles in rock and debris.
Before rain reappears later next week, California is expected to experience Santa Ana winds with gusts over 60 mph in mountainous areas from Sunday night through Tuesday.
The winds could uproot saturated trees and cause power outages.
| Region | Rainfall | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mountainous areas | 10-18 inches | Floods, mudslides |
| Los Angeles Basin | up to 4 inches | Minor flooding |
| Wrightwood | 10-18 inches | Roads turned into rivers |
The heavy rains and subsequent winds added to the state’s challenges, prompting emergency declarations and road closures.
Key Takeaways
- Snowstorm halted 1,500 flights and prompted state emergencies in the Northeast.
- California floods killed 4 and caused extensive road damage.
- Heavy rains and Santa Ana winds threaten power outages and tree damage.
The disruptions highlight the wide-reaching impact of winter and summer storms across the country.
