Feb. 23-24, 2026 — Northeast United States A powerful nor’easter and bomb cyclone battered the region from Maryland to Maine, affecting over 40 million people with up to three feet of heavy, wet snow, hurricane-force wind gusts exceeding 80 mph, more than 650,000 power outages, over 10,000 flight cancellations and widespread travel bans in major cities including New York City, Boston and Philadelphia.
States of emergency were declared in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, with commercial vehicle bans and restrictions on non-essential travel persisting into Tuesday in several areas, according to NBC News live updates and CNN live coverage.
Record snowfall included 32.8 inches at T.F. Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island, breaking a 1978 record, 36.2 inches in Warwick, Rhode Island, 29 inches in Islip, New York, 27.1 inches in Newark, New Jersey and 19.7 inches in New York City’s Central Park. Winds created whiteout conditions, downed trees and power lines, while coastal areas saw massive waves and flooding.
Power outages affected over 600,000 customers, with nearly 290,000 in Massachusetts alone and significant numbers in New Jersey and Rhode Island. Nearly 5,700 flights were canceled nationwide on Monday, primarily at Northeast hubs like JFK, LaGuardia, Newark and Boston Logan, with thousands more on Tuesday.
“Winds like that, combined with heavy, wet snow, are a recipe for damaged trees and prolonged power outages,” said Bryce Williams of the National Weather Service Boston office.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey reported totals exceeding two feet in eastern parts of the state, deploying 200 National Guard members amid ongoing travel bans in multiple counties. New York City lifted its travel ban at noon Monday but urged residents to stay indoors, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani stating:
“These are dangerous conditions. Not only is snow continuing to fall, accumulated snowfall and refreezing have made it hazardous to travel.”
Schools closed for a second day in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia, public transit was disrupted and Broadway shows were canceled.
LIGHTS OUT ⚡️: Wet, heavy snow has overwhelmed utilities across the Northeast, leaving more than 650,000 customers without power. Paul Toscarelli, vice president of electric operations at PSEG, says crews are working around the clock to restore service and combat the paralyzing impact of the ’26 Blizzard that continues to lash the region. pic.twitter.com/abc123
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) February 23, 2026
The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings along 700 miles of the East Coast, describing a “Goldilocks situation” for heavy snow due to clashing air masses.
