A powerful nor'easter blankets the city in snow
A winter storm dumped heavy snow across the five boroughs, snarling travel and closing schools.
A powerful nor'easter swept across New York this February, burying the five boroughs under heavy snow, snarling travel and prompting the closure of schools in the city's biggest winter storm in several years.
The storm dropped significant snowfall across the region, blanketing streets and parks and transforming the city into a muffled, white landscape. Plows worked around the clock to clear the roads, flights were grounded at the region's airports, and the city urged residents to stay home and off the streets while crews cleared the snow.
Schools across the city closed, sending children out to sled in the parks and build snowmen in a rare citywide snow day. Commuters faced delays on buses and commuter rail, though the subway, much of it underground, kept the city moving.
The storm was a reminder of the challenges of managing a dense city in severe winter weather, from clearing thousands of miles of streets to protecting homeless residents from the cold. Officials opened warming centres and stepped up outreach to those on the streets.
For many New Yorkers, the storm brought a brief, beautiful pause to the relentless pace of the city, as familiar streets turned quiet and white. By the following days, the snow had begun to melt and the city returned to its usual rhythm, leaving behind slush, memories and a reminder of winter's power.