Live Updates: Massive Winter Storm Fern Targets Tri-State

2:10 PM Update: PowerOutage reports that over one million people in the US are now experiencing electricity outages.

12:30 PM Update: Snow in Boro Park and Flatbush:

Boro Park, photos by Yossie Jacobson:

Flatbush:

12PM Update: More than 800,000 customers nationwide without power; no outages reported in NYC

Storm affecting nearly 40 states and up to 235–245 million people.

Over 190 million people under Winter Weather Alerts.

Power outages (as of Sunday morning): Tennessee: ~266,000 (hardest hit) Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana: each over 120,000.

States of emergency declared in at least 21 states.

11:50 AM Update: Ice damage may rival hurricane-level destruction, forecasters warn.

New York City & Tri-State Area:

Snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour at times.

Manhattan: ~1 inch by 7 a.m., rapidly increasing.

Expected totals: 6–10 inches of snow/sleet.

Queens: ~0.5 inch early on.

Newark area: ~1 inch early

Travel Disruptions

Air travel across the Northeast nearly shut down.

Flight cancellations by 7:30 a.m.:

LaGuardia: 888 JFK: 908

Newark: 894

Nationwide:12,200+ weekend flights canceled

Nearly 10,000 additional cancellations

Airports reported stranded passengers sleeping on terminal floors

Airlines required to issue refunds for canceled flights

11:40AM Update: Grocery stores across NYC largely emptied ahead of storm.

Trader Joe’s locations in Brooklyn and Staten Island nearly sold out.

NYC Sanitation deployed plows citywide.

Residents can track plowing via Plow

NYC public schools closed Monday due to hazardous conditions. Most students required to attend remote learning.

11:30AM Update: DoorDash implemented a temporary “Weather Impact Fee”Fee meant to compensate drivers for dangerous conditions.

Customers notified before ordering. Possible delays, cancellations, or service suspensions warned

Safety & Preparedness Tips:

“12-inch rule”: Move furniture away from radiators to improve heating.

Remove medications and certain foods from cars to prevent freezing.

Carry emergency kits in vehicles.

Officials urge residents to:

Stay off roads unless necessary.

Conserve power.

Prepare for possible outages.

7:50 AM UPDATE – SNOWY MORNING: As of 7:30 AM, official sensors in Lakewood, NJ and surrounding areas, show roughly 0.7 to 1.5 inches on the ground, with a total of 6 to 12 inches expected by tomorrow, with the heaviest snow falling throughout this morning and afternoon at rates of 1–2 inches per hour.

7:45 AM – NYC: Totals are projected between 8 and 12 inches — some higher elevations in the Tri-State could see up to 18 inches.

A monstrous winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, is poised to strike New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area Sunday morning.

Authorities are warning of a “crippling” combination of heavy snow, dangerous ice, and the most sustained period of extreme cold the region has seen in nearly a decade.

With a Winter Storm Warning in effect for the five boroughs from 3:00 a.m. Sunday through 6:00 p.m. Monday, residents are hunkering down as the system completes its 2,000-mile march across the United States.

The Forecast: Snow Totals and Timing
Meteorologists expect the first flakes to arrive in the city around dawn Sunday. The storm will intensify rapidly, with snowfall rates potentially reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour by late morning, creating whiteout conditions.
Forecasted Accumulation by area:

NYC, Long Island, Coastal NJ: 6 to 12 inches

North Jersey & Hudson Valley: 12 to 18 inches

Central & Southwest NJ: 8 to 12+ inches

While northern and western suburbs are expected to see pure snow, New York City and coastal areas may see totals tempered by an intrusion of sleet and freezing rain late Sunday afternoon. Experts warn this “icy glaze” atop heavy snow will significantly increase the risk of power outages and downed tree limbs.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NJ Governor Mikie Sherrill have both activated emergency protocols, urging residents to stay off the roads entirely on Sunday.

Mamdani confirmed that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is fully mobilized. Approximately 2,200 plows will activate once 2 inches of snow accumulate.

Sherrill has declared a State of Emergency for all 21 counties. Speed limits on all major highways, including the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, will be reduced to 35 mph starting at midnight Sunday.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has declared a State of Emergency and banned commercial vehicles from limited-access highways beginning at 12:00 p.m. Sunday.

Over 9,000 flights have already been canceled, with 85% of flights at LaGuardia grounded.

Public Transit Updates:

MTA: Plans to run subway and bus service but will move trains to indoor yards or express tracks to protect equipment. All planned track work is postponed.

NJ Transit: All bus and light rail service will be suspended starting at 4:00 a.m. Sunday. Commuter rail service will be suspended at 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

NYC Schools: Mamdani has ruled out a traditional “snow day” for Monday; a decision on whether classes will be remote or in-person will be made by noon Sunday.

The storm arrives on the heels of a brutal cold snap. Authorities are investigating the deaths of five people in NYC on Saturday, which may be linked to the extreme cold.

Emergency Measures: NYC has opened warming centers in high schools across all five boroughs. A Code Blue is in effect, and outreach teams are working to bring unhoused individuals into shelters.

The deep freeze is expected to last well into early February, meaning the snow and ice likely won’t melt for over a week. Residents are advised to keep devices charged, check on elderly neighbors, and avoid overexertion while shoveling, which can lead to cardiovascular events.

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