February 23, 2026 — New York City A powerful bomb cyclone, known as Winter Storm Hernando in some reports, slammed the Northeast United States, delivering 2 to 3 feet of snow in parts of New England, hurricane-force winds, thundersnow and widespread power outages affecting more than 500,000 customers.[3] Blizzard warnings covered over 40 million people from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, with New York City issuing its first travel ban and school closures in years amid 13 inches of snow and more expected.[1][2]
The storm, classified as a classic nor’easter and official bomb cyclone, forced millions to stay home, canceled over 8,000 to 10,000 flights and caused treacherous travel conditions.[4][7] New York City streets stood nearly empty under the travel ban, as reported by ABC News chief meteorologist Ginger Zee on location.[12]
Record snowfall hit New England, with live updates from The New York Times noting potential new benchmarks.[4] Thundersnow lit up the sky near the World Trade Center in New York City, captured in a video shared by the New York Post.[16] Power outages spread across the region, impacting hundreds of thousands as winds gusted to hurricane levels.[3]
Blizzard warnings are in effect for more than 40 million people from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. Live updates: link pic
— ABC News (@ABC) February 23, 2026
Satellite imagery from AccuWeather highlighted the storm’s massive nor’easter structure.[19] As of late February 23, travel bans began easing in some areas while cleanup efforts started, per CNN live coverage.[1] The event marked one of the most significant winter storms in recent years for the region.
