Feb. 23, 2026 — New York A powerful nor’easter brought blizzard conditions to the Northeast United States from New Jersey to Massachusetts, dumping more than 2 feet of snow in parts of New Jersey and Long Island while generating wind gusts up to 84 mph, widespread power outages affecting over 600,000 customers, school closures, and travel bans including in New York City, where officials described it as the first storm of this magnitude in about a decade.
The storm, which intensified Sunday night into Monday, produced snowfall totals exceeding 27 inches near Westhampton, New York, 26 inches in Richmond, Rhode Island, 24 inches in Swansea, Massachusetts, and 2 feet in Freehold, New Jersey, according to ABC News updates. New York City recorded 16-19 inches overall, with over 15 inches in Central Park.
Travel disruptions were severe, with New York City’s non-essential travel ban lifted at noon Monday but a hazardous advisory remaining until midnight, as stated by NBC News. New Jersey extended its ban until noon, Connecticut enforced commercial vehicle restrictions, and over 5,300 flights were canceled nationwide, including nearly 90% at JFK and LaGuardia airports. New Jersey Transit suspended services.
Power outages impacted more than 690,000 customers at peak, led by Massachusetts with nearly 300,000, followed by New Jersey. Public schools in New York City and Boston remained closed Monday.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani noted the rarity of the event, stating,
“We haven’t seen a storm like this in a decade.”
He added that his office was not aware of any deaths from the blizzard in city streets and emphasized plowing efforts: “Every single street in every single borough will be plowed as many times as necessary.”
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill urged residents: “Please stay inside and stay safe… Give road crews the space they need to do their jobs.”
States of emergency were declared in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and others. The National Weather Service defined the blizzard by winds over 35 mph, low visibility, and heavy snow for at least three hours.
Eyewitness accounts on X highlighted the intensity, with meteorologist @StormCat5_ warning of a “HISTORIC BLIZZARD” with 1-2 feet of snow and hurricane-force gusts.
