Feb. 24, 2026 — Northeast U.S. — A powerful bomb cyclone and nor’easter delivered historic blizzard conditions across the Northeast from Maryland to Maine starting February 22, burying areas in up to 3 feet of snow, prompting travel bans in New York City, Providence, and parts of five states, causing over 500,000 power outages, and canceling thousands of flights at major airports including JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Boston Logan.
The storm shattered snowfall records, including 36.2 inches in Warwick, Rhode Island, 37.9 inches at T.F. Green Airport near Providence—obliterating the 1978 two-day mark—and 29.1 inches in Islip, New York, breaking a 50-year record previously set in 1963. Other notable totals included 32.8 inches in Providence, 31 inches on Long Island, 27.1 inches at Newark Liberty International Airport (second-snowiest on record), and nearly 20 inches in New York City’s Central Park. Snow rates reached 2-3 inches per hour amid hurricane-force winds gusting to 98 mph, creating whiteout conditions that stranded vehicles and overwhelmed plows.
Travel disruptions were severe, with New York City enforcing a nonessential vehicle ban until noon on February 24, Long Island under similar restrictions, and states of emergency declared in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Over 10,000 flights were canceled nationwide, NJ Transit suspended services, and LIRR operated on reduced schedules. Power outages peaked above 600,000 customers, with nearly 300,000 in Massachusetts alone.
As of February 24, travel bans were easing but roads remained icy and hazardous. New York City schools reopened for in-person learning, while Boston’s stayed closed. Cleanup efforts continued, with plowing, salting, and power restoration expected to take days.
“This appears to be the most historic blizzard we’ve received.” — Josh Estrella, spokesman for Providence, Rhode Island (New York Times).
“Totals in many places the state have already exceeded 2 feet… it’s going to continue to keep falling.” — Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (NBC News).
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee stated officials would reassess the travel ban on February 24 morning (CNN). New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to use public transit and stay indoors amid lingering dangers.
The February 2026 North American blizzard, which rapidly intensified to 965 millibars, marked the worst in the region since 1996, affecting over 40 million under warnings and prompting National Guard deployments.
