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NYC Paralyzed by Historic Winter Storm Fern

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, March 21st 2026 at 23:12 GMT by New York Post
      Locale: UNITED STATES

New York City, NY - March 22nd, 2026 - New York City remains largely paralyzed today, Sunday, March 22nd, as the impacts of Winter Storm Fern linger, extending a period of intense travel disruption that began late Sunday evening. What initially appeared to be a standard winter storm has rapidly evolved into a historic weather event, dumping record-breaking snowfall and creating treacherous conditions across the five boroughs and surrounding areas.

The storm, now dubbed 'Fern' by meteorological authorities, has caused widespread flight cancellations, crippling subway and commuter rail services, and rendered roadways virtually impassable. While snow has begun to taper off in some areas, significant accumulations remain, and sub-freezing temperatures are preventing effective thawing, complicating recovery efforts.

Air Travel Grounded: A Cascade of Cancellations

JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports continue to bear the brunt of Fern's impact. As of 3:00 PM EST, over 3,500 flights have been canceled across the three airports since the storm's onset, with another 1,200 delayed. Airlines are now proactively canceling flights scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd, anticipating continued disruptions. Passengers are being strongly advised not to travel to the airports unless they have confirmed their flights are still operating. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reports that de-icing operations are significantly behind schedule due to the persistent cold and the sheer volume of aircraft needing service. Long lines are forming at airline customer service desks, and wait times for phone support are exceeding several hours.

MTA Battles to Restore Service - Limited Success

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is facing an unprecedented challenge. Subway lines are operating with severely limited service, and numerous sections of the system have experienced complete shutdowns due to track obstructions and signal malfunctions. While crews are working around the clock to clear tracks and switch points, the accumulation of frozen snow and ice is proving to be exceptionally difficult to remove. Commuter rail lines, including the LIRR and Metro-North, have largely suspended service, with only a handful of trains operating on severely reduced schedules. MTA Chairman Sarah Feinberg stated in a press conference this morning that restoring full service could take several days, potentially stretching into mid-week.

"We're facing a level of snow and ice accumulation that we haven't seen in years," Feinberg explained. "Our priority remains the safety of our riders and employees. We're utilizing every available resource to get the system back online, but this is a slow and painstaking process."

Roads Impassable - State of Emergency Declared

City and state officials have declared a state of emergency, urging residents to stay off the roads. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has deployed its full fleet of snowplows and salt spreaders, but progress is hampered by the continued snowfall and the sheer volume of snow accumulated. Many major roadways, including sections of the Long Island Expressway, the Cross Bronx Expressway, and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, have been closed due to hazardous conditions. Even secondary streets are largely impassable, with snowdrifts exceeding two feet in some areas. Emergency services are reporting significant delays in responding to calls due to the difficult driving conditions.

Beyond Travel: City Services Impacted

The impact of Winter Storm Fern extends beyond travel. Schools across the city are closed, and many businesses have opted to close or allow employees to work remotely. Garbage collection has been suspended, leading to a growing accumulation of waste. The storm has also strained the city's power grid, with scattered power outages reported throughout the metropolitan area.

Looking Ahead: A Prolonged Recovery

The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures will remain below freezing for the next 24-48 hours, further complicating recovery efforts. City and state agencies are bracing for a prolonged period of disruption, and residents are urged to exercise extreme caution and heed all travel advisories. The full economic impact of the storm is still unknown, but it is expected to be substantial. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as they become available. Authorities are encouraging residents to check the city's 311 service and the MTA website for the latest information.