A powerful winter storm swept across New York City this week, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions that left thousands of residents stranded and schools closed across the region.
According to local transportation officials, more than 2,300 flights were canceled at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport combined. An additional 1,500 flights were delayed as airlines struggled to keep up with rapidly accumulating snow and icy runways. Many travelers were forced to sleep in terminals as crews worked overnight to clear the tarmac.
The blizzard dumped nearly 18 inches of snow in some parts of the city, with wind gusts reaching up to 45 miles per hour. City officials reported dozens of minor car accidents but no major injuries. Public transportation services, including several subway lines and bus routes, experienced partial shutdowns throughout the storm.
Meteorologists say this storm is the worst New York has seen since 2016, when a historic blizzard dropped over two feet of snow across the city. While this week’s totals were slightly lower, experts noted that the strong winds and rapid snowfall rates made conditions especially dangerous.
All New York City public schools were closed for two consecutive days, marking the first weather-related shutdown of this scale in nearly four years. While students in New York experienced snow days, seniors at high schools in Miami followed the storm’s impact from afar.
“Seeing everyone post about having no school honestly made me a little jealous,” said Christopher Columbus Senior Samuel Falcon. “We never get snow days in Miami. But at the same time, I’d rather keep the sunshine and warm weather than deal with a blizzard like that.”
Senior Aya Bardawil said watching the coverage made her appreciate South Florida’s climate even more. “I feel bad for the people who have to live in that kind of weather,” she said. “It looked freezing and stressful, and at the same time kinda pretty. It makes me grateful that in Miami we don’t have to worry about snowstorms shutting everything down.”
As cleanup efforts continue in New York, sanitation workers are working around the clock to plow streets and restore normal operations. Officials urge residents to remain cautious, as melting snow could refreeze overnight and create dangerous icy conditions in the days ahead. Meanwhile, students in Miami say they are grateful for clear skies and warm temperatures.
Senior Emma Angeli agreed with Aya that while snow can look beautiful, the reality seems far more difficult.
“It looks fun in pictures, but when you see how many flights were canceled and how schools were closed, it’s a huge disruption,” she said. “I like visiting cold places, but I don’t think I could live somewhere that gets storms that intense.”
