Feb. 23, 2026 — New York City A powerful nor’easter blizzard classified as a bomb cyclone slammed the Northeastern United States from Maryland to Massachusetts, burying areas in up to 29.5 inches of snow, knocking out power to more than 500,000 customers and canceling over 10,000 flights through Tuesday amid wind gusts exceeding 60 mph.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency and a citywide travel ban on nonessential vehicles from 9 p.m. Sunday to noon Monday, closing streets, highways and bridges to all but emergency traffic. Similar restrictions applied in Long Island, Westchester County, New Jersey and Rhode Island, where travel was deemed “nearly impossible” by the National Weather Service.
Snowfall totals reached extremes, with Babylon on Long Island recording 29.5 inches, Islip over 22 inches and Central Park in NYC more than 15 inches. Parts of New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts saw up to two feet, fueled by heavy, wet snow snapping trees and power lines.
Snowfall totals map (National Weather Service via The New York Times)
Power outages affected over 600,000 customers from Virginia to southern New England, including nearly 300,000 in Massachusetts—80% in Plymouth County—and more than 125,000 in New Jersey. Utilities warned restoration could take three to five days due to high winds delaying crews.
Transportation ground to a halt with over 5,300 flights canceled Monday alone at hubs including JFK, LGA, EWR, BOS and PHL. Amtrak adjusted services, New Jersey Transit suspended buses and rails, NYC subways faced severe delays and Long Island Rail Road halted operations.
Schools closed across NYC, Boston and Philadelphia, which shifted to online learning. Broadway shows and landmarks like the Museum of Modern Art shut down.
“And to kids across New York City, you have a very serious mission if you choose to accept it: Stay cozy.”
— NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani
“Boston is no stranger to nor’easters, but this is gonna be a big one. And so we need everyone to just be inside, stay warm, stay safe, and let the plows do their work.”
— Boston Mayor Michelle Wu
Sanitation workers clear sidewalks in Brooklyn (Graham Dickie for The New York Times)
Blizzard warnings covered 40 million people, with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul calling it one of the top 10 worst storms in 150 years. Outreach efforts placed nearly 80 homeless individuals into NYC shelters, prioritizing safety amid whiteout conditions.
