NEW YORK, Feb 23: A historic blizzard has forced New York City officials to ban most travel, as severe winter weather continues to disrupt transportation across the United States. The storm has led to thousands of flight cancellations nationwide, with major airports in the Northeast facing significant disruptions.

According to Flight-Tracking site FlightAware, Airlines have canceled more than 6,000 flights in and out of US airports. 

The storm is bringing heavy snowfall, powerful winds and extremely low visibility across parts of the northeastern United States. Weather officials warned that conditions could become dangerous for both pilots and passengers as snow continues to accumulate and winds create near whiteout conditions in several areas.

Airports serving the New York region, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport, have been among the hardest due to hazardous weather conditions.

City and state officials have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel as the storm moves through the region. Authorities said the restrictions are intended to keep roads clear for emergency services and snow-clearing crews, while public transport services have also been affected in several areas of New York City.

Beyond the aviation sector, the severe storm has also disrupted daily life for residents across New York City, with schools and public activities affected as authorities urged people to remain indoors. During a press conference, Zohran Mamdani reassured residents while emphasizing safety, saying,

“No online school, no remote learning, full classic snow day. My only ask to you is that you just stay safe, stay indoors during the height of the storm. Once that has passed, feel free to go out and sled.”

Officials are continuing to monitor the situation as crews work to clear snow and restore normal services. Airlines and local authorities have advised travelers and residents to check updates regularly as flight schedules and travel conditions may continue to change while the storm moves through the region.