Blizzard 2015: Travel Bans Being Lifted as Snowfall Totals Fall Short in Some Areas
Published at(NEW YORK) — Officials in the Northeast began to lift travel ban Tuesday morning, after much of the region got far less snowfall than feared.
New York City announced it was reopening roads and restarting Staten Island ferry service as of 7:30 a.m.
In addition, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo lifted travel bans in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Westchester and Nassau counties, and said systems operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which includes the New York subway, were expected to gear up to resume service Tuesday morning.
Gov. Chris Christie said New Jersey was lifting its travel ban in all 21 counties.
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Mass transit systems had been shut down from New York City to Boston Tuesday morning, roads closed to traffic in all or parts of five states, and airlines canceled thousands of flights because of a Northeast storm.
But according to the National Weather Service, the storm was departing the region more quickly than expected, resulting in significantly less snowfall than some forecasters predicted.
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Snowfall totals already had reached as much as 17 inches in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with 15 inches reported in Islip, New York. Early snowfall totals in Boston (8 inches), New York (7 inches) and Philadelphia (2 inches) came up far short of predictions that called for more than two feet of snow.
“The science of forecasting storms, while continually improving, still can be subject to error, especially if we’re on the edge of the heavy precipitation shield,” the National Weather Service wrote. “Efforts, including research, are already underway to more easily communicate that forecast uncertainty.”
The heaviest snowfall was expected to end at about 10 a.m. in New York City, with snow expected to continue in eastern Long Island and into Boston throughout the day. Parts of eastern New England into Maine could receive more than a foot of additional snow today.
The overnight hours brought some of the storm’s most treacherous conditions, with wind gusts of up to 78 miles per hour reported on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. More than 7,000 flights were canceled because of the storm, which began as a clipper system that brought snow and slick roads to the Midwest on Sunday.
Before Cuomo announced the system’s reopening, an MTA spokesman told ABC News that New York City’s subway system would not be open for the morning rush. The subways and other forms of transportation were shut down at 11 p.m. Monday, after Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a travel ban for 13 counties, including New York City and Long Island, prohibiting travel except for first responders and essential personnel.
“This is a serious situation,” Cuomo said. “If you violate this state order, it’s a possible misdemeanor. It’s fines up to $300.”
New York City’s streets were coated in a slushy mix overnight, with few vehicles on the roads.
The New York City subway, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro North and New Jersey Transit all reduced service dramatically leading up to the total closures at 11 p.m. NJ Transit was not expected to resume operations until Thursday.
According to the MTA, this is believed to be the first time the entire subway system as well as bridges and tunnels were shut down because of a winter storm. The last subway shutdown was when Superstorm Sandy hit in 2012.
“This is not business as usual,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters.
A 17-year-old teen on Long Island died in a sledding accident, authorities said, marking the first death reported in the storm.
The accident happened at 10 p.m. Monday in the town of Huntington, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. The teen and two friends were taking turns snow-tubing when one of the teens lost control and struck a light pole, police said.
The teen was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
On Long Island, the snow was matched with heavy winds, making the conditions especially worrisome and limiting visibility.
In Connecticut, a statewide travel ban went into effect at 9 p.m. Monday.
“We encourage citizens to stay in place during the duration of the storm,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and implemented a statewide travel ban beginning at midnight.
“Driving will be virtually impossible for extended periods of time starting late tonight,” Baker said. “Please stay off the roads. Everyone should expect impassible roads starting at midnight tonight.”
In Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced that it would be closed Tuesday. There was no timetable for when service will be restored. Additionally, Boston schools were to be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, as the region prepared for the worst of the snowfall.
In all, seven states — including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New Hampshire — declared states of emergency.
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National Weather Service meteorologists downgraded a winter storm warning for the Philadelphia area to a winter storm advisory, with expected snow accumulation totals for the area dramatically decreased Tuesday morning.
In anticipation of the dangerous winter weather, several major U.S. airlines issued travel advisories, including Jet Blue, US Airways, American, Southwest and Delta.
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Many airlines also waived their flight change and cancellation fees for any flights that were scheduled to arrive in cities expected to be affected by the storm Monday evening and Tuesday.
Travelers can check with their specific airline for how to change or cancel their flight and get the latest updates on any travel advisories.
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