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Snowstorm Fern Fallout: Record Snow Totals, Massive Flight Cancellations, and Another Winter Storm Possible
Storm Fern dumped more than a foot of snow across Long Island and the Hamptons, set a Central Park record, snarled air travel at JFK and LaGuardia, has caused delays on the LIRR, and could be followed by another East Coast snowstorm this weekend.
Record Snowfall Blankets Long Island and the Hamptons
The most significant snowstorm to hit the Northeast in years delivered widespread snowfall across New York City, Long Island, and the Tri-State area, breaking daily records and leaving many communities buried under a foot or more of snow.
On Long Island, multiple counties reported totals exceeding 12 inches. On the East End, snowfall ranged from 8 inches to more than a foot, according to the National Weather Service:
- Orient: 12.5 inches
- Sag Harbor: 12.2 inches
- Shinnecock Hills/Southampton: 11.5 inches
- Flanders: 11.4 inches
- Hampton Bays: 11 inches
- Montauk: 10.2 inches
- East Hampton/Springs: 8 inches
How Storm Fern Compares to Past Snowstorms
While Storm Fern was highly disruptive, Long Island has endured heavier snowfall in recent years. Winter Storm Nemo in 2014 dumped 30.3 inches of snow, with parts of central Suffolk County receiving more than 30 inches and surrounding areas seeing between 26 and 30 inches.
In January 2015, Winter Storm Juno slammed the East End, with portions of Southampton and the Hamptons receiving nearly 29 inches of snow.
Central Park Sets a New Jan. 25 Record
In Central Park, Sunday’s storm dropped 11.4 inches of snow — the most ever recorded there on Jan. 25. The total did not surpass the park’s all-time snowfall record of 27.5 inches, set during the historic blizzard of Jan. 22–24, 2016.
Air Travel Disrupted Across the Region
Record snowfall also hit major airports including Islip, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and Bridgeport, Connecticut. As of Monday, Jan. 26, more than 1,100 flights were canceled at JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and surrounding airports, which recorded between 8 and 11 inches of snow from the weekend storm. JFK alone reported 466 cancellations.
Although airport hubs have reopened, recovery has been slow. Ground delays of up to four hours were reported at JFK due to snow and ice, and AirTrain service at both JFK and Newark remained suspended as of press time.
As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, FlightAware reported 759 flight cancellations and more than 100 delays nationwide.
LaGuardia Airport has been hit particularly hard. American Airlines said the weekend storm was the most disruptive in the airline’s 100-year history. On Tuesday, 25% of American Airlines flights were canceled. Nationwide, more than 1,457 American flights were scrubbed, with Dallas, Boston, and LaGuardia among the hardest-hit airports.
American has canceled more than 9,000 flights since the storm and expects disruptions to continue for at least two more days. Travelers are urged to check directly with airlines and airports before heading out.
Long Island Railroad Delays
The Long Island Railroad is experiencing ongoing weather-related issues ,causing delays and cancellations. With many commuters staying home on Monday, Tuesday has been a mixed bag, with issues across multiple branches of the Long Island Railroads. The MTA is asking commuters to check their TrainTime app for the latest train schedule updates and changes.
Another Winter Storm Could Arrive This Weekend
As residents continue digging out from Storm Fern, forecasters are tracking another potentially significant coastal storm that could impact the East Coast this weekend. The National Weather Service says the chances have increased for impactful snow and strong winds along the immediate coastline.
While forecasts remain uncertain, current projections show a 40% chance of snow Saturday night and a 50% chance of snow on Sunday.
Get Ready for More Cold Weather
Cold temperatures are expected to persist throughout the week. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday through 10 a.m. Wednesday, with wind chills and temperatures dropping as low as minus 5 degrees on Long Island.
Officials warn that the risk of hypothermia and frostbite is elevated. See our related story for safety tips from Gov. Kathy Hochul on how to protect yourself during extreme cold and winter storms.
