HARTFORD, Connecticut, USA —
A powerful snowstorm hit the northeastern United States on Tuesday, canceling and delaying flights, making roads icy and forcing many school districts to cancel classes. or go online – or so they try.
In New York, the online learning system serving the nation's largest school district experienced technical problems early this morning, preventing most of its 915,000 students from logging on.
More than 1,000 flights were canceled Tuesday morning, mostly at airports in New York and Boston. There are traffic accidents all over the region and many states have banned the operation of unlicensed tractor-trailers and tandem tractor-trailers on the roads.
Some areas in Pennsylvania and Connecticut received up to 15 inches (38 cm) of snow, while other areas saw less than expected accumulations, the National Weather Service said. The Massachusetts coast experienced strong winds.
“It's been a quiet winter, so it's been pretty comfortable,” Ricky Smith said on his way to a construction site in New York. “I just hope no one gets hurt.”
Mayor Eric Adams told New Yorkers not to underestimate the storm. “Let's let Mother Nature do it,” he said. “The aim is to keep our roads clean and hopefully people will use public transport or, even better, stay at home.”
In addition, he defended the decision for online courses, saying it was necessary because of delays in learning during the coronavirus pandemic. Many parents agree.
School authorities attributed the login failure to IBM. Schools chancellor David Banks said the company was not ready for “New Year”. The company said it is working with New York school officials to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
In Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont, all executive buildings closed for the day.
Susan Smith spent the day with her three children, ages 14, 11 and 8, at her home in Columbia, Connecticut, because schools were closed. He said he likes the traditional snow days, but also wants to see remote training on some of the nastier weather days.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation temporarily lowered the speed limit on some interstate highways to 45 mph (72 km/h) in the east-central region of the state because of the storm.
Some of the heaviest snowfall, 8 inches (20 cm) or more, is forecast for upstate New York, Connecticut, southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts could reach 60 mph (100 km/h) off the coast of Massachusetts and 40 mph (65 km/h) in inland areas of southern New England.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has asked all non-essential executive branch employees not to report to work on Tuesday.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said homeless shelters will remain open. City schools are closed.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee's offices will be closed Tuesday and trailer travel will be banned on all highways starting at midnight in coordination with Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.
Airports in the region are asking travelers to check their flights for cancellations and delays.
