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Updated Feb 2, 2021 - Science

In photos: Major winter storm dumps heavy snow across Northeast

Rebecca Falconer
A person rides their bicycle in Times Square during a winter storm on February 1, 2021 in New York City.

The scene in New York City's Times Square on Feb. 1. After lashing the Midwest and parts of California earlier, the storm system moved into the Northeast overnight, affecting some 70 million people. Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

The first major winter storm of 2021 was lashing much of the Eastern U.S. over Monday night, with up to 30 inches of snow falling in some places.

The big picture: COVID-19 vaccination sites and schools closed across the Northeast, including in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York City, where the outdoor subway service was suspended. New Jersey's Transit also paused its bus and rail operations. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed in NYC, Philadelphia and Boston. At least three deaths have been attributed to the storm in Pennsylvania, per AP.

People clear snow in front of their house after heavy snowfall in Cliffside Park region of New Jersey, United States on February 01
People clear snow in front of their house after heavy snowfall in the Cliffside Park region of New Jersey on Feb. 1. Photo: Islam Dogru/Anadolu Agency via Getty Imagess
A man operates a snow blower in Muhlenberg township, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 1.
A man operates a snow blower in Muhlenberg township, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 1. Photo: Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
Crews work to clear snow in the North End during winter storm Orlena in Boston, Massachusetts on February 1
Crews work to clear snow in Boston, Massachusetts on Feb. 1. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
A dog sits in Times Square during a winter storm on February 1, 2021 in New York City.
The scene in NYC's Times Square during the winter storm on Feb. 1. Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
The National Mall on Jan. 31 in Washington, D.C. covered in snow
The National Mall on Jan. 31 in Washington, D.C. The storm forced President Biden to reschedule his planned Feb. 1 State Department visit. Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images
A person passes people iIn Brooklyn's enclosed outdoor dining structure during a Jan. 31 snowstorm in New York City .
A person passes people in Brooklyn's enclosed outdoor dining structure during a Jan. 31 snowstorm in New York City. Nonessential travel was restricted in the city from 6am Feb. 1. Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
Snow falls on the statue of former Philadelphia Flyers owner and COO Ed Snider at the Wells Fargo Center on January 31, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Snow falls on the statue of former Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider before the game against the New York Islanders at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Jan. 31. Photo: Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
A snow plow clears streets during a Winter Storm Warning in Chicago, IL on January 30
A snow plow clears streets during a "winter storm warning" in Chicago on Jan. 30. Photo: Max Herman/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Snowkiters sail across Lake Minnetonka on January 30, 2021 in Wayzata, Minnesota.
Snowkiters sail across Lake Minnetonka on Jan. 30 in Wayzata, Minn. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
People play with hail on the beach following storms that blanketed the region with rain, snow, and hail, on January 29, 2021 in Manhattan Beach, California
People throw snowballs on Manhattan Beach, Calif., following winter storms that blanketed the region with rain, snow, and hail, on Jan. 29. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details on the storm and additional photos.

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