New York, February 23, 2026 – A historic blizzard is paralyzing the northeastern United States, impacting over 40 million people from Maryland to Maine. The storm has brought New York City to a near standstill, with travel bans in effect and widespread disruptions to transportation and power.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned on Sunday that the city had not experienced a storm of this magnitude in nearly a decade. “The city of New York hasn’t seen a storm of this magnitude in the last decade,” he stated during a press conference. As of 5:28 AM local time on Monday, the National Weather Service reported over 38 centimeters (approximately 15 inches) of snow had accumulated on Long Island, with continued heavy snowfall.
Emergency services in New York City reported between 23 and 28 centimeters (9-11 inches) of snow covering Manhattan and Brooklyn as of 2:23 AM. The city has implemented a travel ban for all non-essential vehicles on streets, highways, and bridges until noon on Monday, urging residents to stay warm and safe.
PHOTO CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
People walk in Times Square, Manhattan, during a snowfall in New York, February 22, 2026.
The storm is causing widespread power outages across the Northeast. As of early Monday morning, over 280,000 homes and businesses were without electricity, with New Jersey and Delaware particularly affected, reporting approximately 110,000 and 67,000 outages respectively.
Governors in seven states – Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island – have declared states of emergency, implementing travel bans since Sunday afternoon. Transportation services, including rail, have been suspended in New Jersey.
Forecasters predict up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) of snow in some areas, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph). The National Weather Service has also warned of potential flooding in parts of New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
Early Monday morning, the skyscrapers of Wall Street were barely visible from the neighboring Brooklyn borough due to the intensity of the snowfall.
“The Worst is Yet to Come”
This marks the second major winter storm faced by New York City’s Democratic mayor since taking office in early January. In late January, a prolonged cold snap resulted in at least 18 deaths in the city, primarily due to hypothermia, with authorities reporting at least 100 fatalities across the country.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul cautioned on Sunday that “the worst is yet to come,” advising residents to remain “comfortably” at home. The impact of the storm is particularly challenging for those unable to work remotely. “And what about parents who have to go to work? That’s unfair,” said Brooklyn resident Brandon Smith, expressing concern for those without the option of telecommuting.
Some tourists, however, have embraced the spectacle of the heavy snowfall. Macarena Gonzalez, visiting from Chile, remarked, “I knew it was going to snow a little, but I didn’t think it would be this much. But I’m happy, it’s a beautiful experience.”
The United Nations headquarters in Manhattan will be closed on Monday, with all scheduled meetings postponed, according to an internal announcement.
In Boston, where up to 60 centimeters of snow are anticipated, schools will be closed on Monday, as the storm is expected to be of “historic proportions,” according to Mayor Michelle Wu.
As of Sunday, over 8,700 flights had been canceled, with airports in New York City being the most affected, followed by Boston, Newark, and Philadelphia. FlightAware predicts more than 1,300 flight cancellations on Tuesday due to the ongoing weather conditions.
