Feb. 24, 2026 — New York City A historic nor’easter, known as the Blizzard of 2026 or Winter Storm Hernando, struck the Northeastern United States from February 22 to 23, blanketing the region in 2 to 3 feet of snow, shattering snowfall records, causing widespread power outages affecting more than 600,000 customers, and leading to over 8,000 flight cancellations.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on February 21 for over 20 counties, including New York City and Long Island, ahead of forecasts predicting 18-24 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani followed with a local emergency declaration on February 22, imposing a citywide travel ban from 9 p.m. Sunday to noon Monday and designating February 23 a snow day for public schools.
The storm, featuring bomb cyclone conditions and winds up to 75 mph with gusts reaching 98 mph in Massachusetts, prompted New York City’s first blizzard warning since 2017, according to Wikipedia. Record snowfalls included 37.9 inches at Rhode Island’s T.F. Green Airport, 29.5 inches in Babylon, New York, and 27.1 inches in Newark, New Jersey, breaking the January 2016 record.
“New Yorkers are no strangers to snow and cold weather, but these blizzard-like conditions approaching New York City, Long Island and the lower Mid-Hudson will bring heavy snow and strong winds, with the storm forecasted to impact much of our state,” Governor Hochul said.
“The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority. As this blizzard moves in, our administration is mobilizing every tool at our disposal… I’m urging every New Yorker to please stay home,” Mayor Mamdani stated.
Snow piles up in West Windsor, New Jersey, during the Blizzard of 2026, where 16 inches fell amid rates of 2-3 inches per hour. (Photo via X/@bentomfohrdeWX)
Impacts extended to over 22,000 delayed flights, 30 canceled Amtrak trains, and minor coastal flooding along the Jersey Shore. At least two fatalities were reported in Maryland from a tree falling on a car. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill called it “potentially the worst storm in 30 years.”
Live coverage continues via the New York Times, Washington Post snowfall maps, and Weather.com, detailing cleanup efforts as blizzard warnings expire.
