A powerful blizzard has blanketed large swathes of the northeastern United States, dumping as much as three feet of snow in some communities and bringing major cities to a standstill.

The storm, driven by a rapidly intensifying coastal system, swept northward along the Atlantic seaboard, combining heavy snowfall with strong winds that created near whiteout conditions and significant drifting.

Meteorologists reported snowfall totals exceeding two feet across parts of upstate New York, northern New England and interior Massachusetts, with isolated areas approaching or surpassing the three-foot mark.

Coastal regions experienced gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour, compounding the impact and prompting widespread power outages affecting tens of thousands of households.

Governors in several states declared states of emergency, urging residents to remain indoors and avoid nonessential travel.

Major airports in Boston, New York and surrounding cities cancelled hundreds of flights, while rail services faced delays and temporary suspensions.

Road crews worked continuously to clear highways and residential streets, but officials warned that blowing snow and continued cold temperatures would hamper recovery efforts.

Emergency management agencies mobilized warming centers and coordinated with utility providers to restore electricity as quickly as possible.

Authorities also cautioned about the risk of coastal flooding in low-lying areas due to high tides and storm surge associated with the system.

The blizzard marks one of the most significant winter weather events in the region in recent years, testing infrastructure and emergency preparedness at the height of the winter season.

Forecasts indicate that the storm will gradually move offshore, but frigid temperatures are expected to linger, raising concerns about icy conditions and ongoing disruptions in the days ahead.