Park officials reminded visitors that while recreation is permitted, they should avoid damaging sensitive areas and remain alert for fallen branches weighed down by wet snow. No injuries or accidents were reported in connection with the snowboarding activity, according to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Travel Disruptions Across the Region
The same storm that provided powder in the city also created extensive transportation challenges. A live feed from John F. Kennedy International Airport showed idle aircraft lined up on snow-coated taxiways as crews worked to clear runways. Airlines pre-emptively canceled or delayed hundreds of flights, advising passengers to check their status before heading to the airport. Boston Logan International Airport issued similar guidance, citing reduced visibility and brisk winds.
On the roads, a continuous stream of plows and salt trucks battled accumulation on Interstate 93 outside Boston, where cameras captured slow-moving traffic during the height of the storm. In Philadelphia, public-works officials acknowledged that cleanup “has been a challenge” because of the storm’s intensity and rapid snowfall rates. New York City’s Office of Emergency Management urged motorists to stay off highways unless travel was absolutely necessary, pointing to slick conditions and the risk of spinouts.
Official Warnings and Public Guidance
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani asked residents to remain indoors wherever possible. “The storm will pass, but the risks on the roads and sidewalks are immediate,” he said in a recorded message released the evening of 25 January. Municipal shelters opened additional warming centers, while firefighters responded to scattered calls about downed power lines.
Farther north, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey activated the state’s emergency operations center. A live briefing from Boston highlighted concerns about coastal flooding during the storm’s peak and reinforced the importance of clearing fire hydrants and sidewalks once conditions improved.
Public utility crews across the mid-Atlantic and New England reported tens of thousands of outages as heavy, wet snow accumulated on tree limbs. While most service interruptions were expected to be short-lived, officials cautioned that temperatures forecast to dip into the single digits could pose a threat to anyone without reliable heat.
Conditions Stretch Beyond the Northeast
The impact was not confined to major coastal cities. Video from Oklahoma City showed municipal leaders describing the snow as “not as bad as we had feared,” though officials still advised caution on untreated roads. In Minneapolis and other parts of the Upper Midwest, an earlier wave of Arctic air pushed wind chills well below zero, complicating efforts to dig out from previous rounds of snow.
Meteorologists noted that the sprawling nature of the system meant that different regions experienced varying precipitation types. In portions of the Ohio Valley, a wintry mix created layers of ice, prompting scattered school closures. Along the southern edge of the storm, heavy rain and gusty winds produced localized flooding concerns.
Looking Ahead
Forecasters said the low-pressure system would exit the Atlantic Coast by late 26 January, allowing skies to clear but ushering in a reinforcing shot of Arctic air. The National Weather Service projected overnight lows in the teens for New York City and single-digit temperatures for inland areas of New England. Officials urged anyone venturing outdoors to dress in layers and to limit time outside.
While sanitation crews continue to clear streets and sidewalks, Central Park is expected to remain busy with winter recreation through the weekend. Park personnel advised visitors to stick to open lawns and avoid bodies of water, which may appear frozen but remain unsafe.
For those monitoring conditions, the National Weather Service maintains updated forecasts and advisories on its official website.
Crédito da imagem: Original source
