Feb. 23-24, 2026 — Northeastern United States A powerful bomb cyclone blizzard battered the region from Maryland to Maine, delivering record-breaking snowfall of more than 3 feet in Rhode Island, hurricane-force wind gusts up to 80 mph, widespread power outages affecting over 650,000 customers, travel bans including New York City’s first major snow-related restrictions since 2019, more than 8,000 flight cancellations, and states of emergency in six states: New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.
The storm, described by meteorologists as having “everything just right” for monster snowfall, shattered records in Rhode Island with 36.2 inches in Warwick and 32.8 inches at T.F. Green Airport, surpassing previous benchmarks, according to New York Times live updates. Massachusetts saw over 30 inches in some towns, while Central Park in New York recorded nearly 20 inches, its ninth-highest on record. Thundersnow was observed amid the intense conditions.
Snow covers Central Park in New York City amid the blizzard, as reported by Reuters.
Power outages peaked at around 650,000 customers, with nearly 300,000 in Massachusetts alone due to fallen trees and lines from wet, heavy snow and gusts exceeding 60 mph. Restoration efforts were hampered by ongoing winds and low visibility.
Travel ground to a halt across a 700-mile corridor. New York City imposed a nonessential driving ban until noon on Feb. 24, NJ Transit suspended all service, and roads became impassable with hundreds of stranded vehicles. Airlines canceled over 5,700 flights initially, rising to more than 8,000 by evening, primarily at New York and Boston airports, per FlightAware data. Schools closed region-wide, affecting 40 million under blizzard warnings.
“This is as bad as I’ve seen it,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said during a briefing. “We’ll get through this.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called it the “first old-school snow day since 2019,” urging residents: “And to kids across New York City, you have a very serious mission if you choose to accept it: Stay cosy.”
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee enacted a statewide travel ban, with spokesman Josh Estrella noting, “This appears to be the most historic blizzard we’ve received.” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu praised compliance: “We have had fewer E.M.S. and fire calls than usual, and that shows that the city is doing a great job of staying off the roads.”
Satellite imagery captures the historic blizzard’s scope, dumping over 2 feet of snow across the Northeast (Ed Bloodsworth via X).
Officials warned of ongoing treacherous conditions into Feb. 24, with plowing and power restoration prioritized. No deaths were immediately reported, but outreach targeted vulnerable populations like the homeless.
