New York: A powerful winter storm swept across the northeastern United States from Maryland to Maine on Monday, forcing millions of residents to stay indoors as blizzard warnings, transport shutdowns, flight cancellations and school closures disrupted daily life.

Meteorologists described the system as the strongest storm to hit the region in a decade, with more than 2 feet (60 cm) of snow falling across parts of the metropolitan Northeast and record accumulations reported in several areas. Central Park recorded 19 inches (48 cm), while Warwick, Rhode Island, saw more than 3 feet (91 cm). Winds gusted up to 83 mph (133 kph) in Nantucket, with hurricane-force gusts reported across Cape Cod.

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The National Weather Service called the system a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter off the Northeast coast,” referring to a storm whose pressure drops rapidly within 24 hours as cold Arctic air collides with warmer air.

The storm forced the United Nations to postpone a Security Council meeting and prompted emergency declarations in multiple states. Schools were closed across major cities, including New York, which declared its first traditional snow day in six years, while Philadelphia shifted to online learning.

“It’s very quiet, except for the howling winds,” said Luis Valez, a concierge in Lower Manhattan as he cleared snow from a sidewalk. “A couple of residents have gone out to get their essentials. Other than that, there’s nothing.”

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Public life slowed dramatically, with snow shovelers outnumbering commuters in parts of Manhattan. Tourists Karen Smith and Adele Bawden from the United Kingdom said they were able to walk and even dance in the middle of Times Square. “We’ve been dancing in Times Square this morning in the middle of the road in rush hour,” Bawden said. “We’ve just been dancing and not believing we could do it.”

Matthew Wojtkowiak, a Brooklyn attorney, said the snowfall was manageable. “I’m from the Midwest, so this is in the zone,” he said. “Not too bad, not too easy, either.” He added, “We have sleds at the ready.”

In the Lower East Side, Ingrid Devita patrolled on skis to check on people who had fallen. “I find people fall in the snow and they can’t get up,” she said.

Air travel was heavily affected, with more than 5,600 flights cancelled nationwide on Monday and another 2,000 called off for Tuesday, according to FlightAware. Most cancellations were at airports in New York, New Jersey and Boston. Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport temporarily halted operations after receiving nearly 38 inches (96.5 cm) of snow, breaking a record set in 1978.

Public transit systems were partially suspended, with rail service in Staten Island halted and delays expected on above-ground subway lines. Commuter rail and bus services were set to resume in limited capacity. DoorDash suspended deliveries in New York City overnight.

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Heavy, wet snow combined with strong winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving more than 450,000 utility customers without electricity nationwide, according to PowerOutage.us.

Cultural landmarks, including the Museum of Modern Art and Arlington National Cemetery, were closed, and Broadway performances were cancelled.

City officials faced criticism over plans to reopen schools. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said roads and sidewalks remained impassable and schools should stay closed, while the teachers’ union urged caution. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels defended the decision, saying the district “couldn’t be 100% certain” every student had access to remote learning devices and added, “We are confident in our decision to reopen.”