Northeast United States Gripped by Historic Blizzard, Millions Under Travel Bans
A powerful winter storm has brought the northeastern United States to a standstill, with millions of residents from Maryland to Maine urged to stay home amid blizzard warnings, widespread transportation shutdowns, and school and business closures. Meteorologists are calling the storm the strongest in a decade, with some areas receiving over two feet (60 centimeters) of snow.
The storm’s impact was acutely felt in New York City, where officials declared a snow day for the first time in six years. A travel ban was implemented, and the city braced for what officials described as potentially historic snowfall. The United Nations was even forced to postpone a Security Council meeting due to the severe weather conditions.
As of Monday, February 23, 2026, the National Weather Service characterized the storm as a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter off the Northeast coast.” A bomb cyclone is defined by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure within a 24-hour period, a phenomenon common during the colder months when frigid Arctic air collides with warmer temperatures.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued alerts to the approximately 14 million residents of the state, urging caution and adherence to safety guidelines. The storm caused widespread power outages, leaving tens of thousands of customers without electricity. Hazardous travel conditions extended beyond New York, impacting the Great Lakes region as well.
Air travel was severely disrupted, with over 1,500 flights canceled from Friday night into Saturday morning, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Airports including Newark Liberty International, John F. Kennedy International, and LaGuardia Airport issued snow warnings, anticipating significant delays and cancellations. While conditions began to improve Saturday morning, the National Weather Service cautioned that another storm could bring additional snowfall to the region later this week.
The storm’s intensity varied across the region. While New York City received around four inches of snow by Saturday morning, areas of Long Island saw accumulations exceeding 15 centimeters. The Catskills region experienced even heavier snowfall, with some communities reporting up to 25 centimeters. The National Weather Service warned of potential tree damage and power outages due to the weight of the snow and strong winds.
Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for all of New Jersey, citing the dangerous weather conditions. The storm, while quick-moving, left a significant impact on travel and daily life across a large swath of the northeastern United States. Forecasters noted the storm was moving from the northwest toward the Southeast U.S.
Even seemingly minor events highlighted the storm’s pervasive impact. A report from Univision noted that on Sunday, February 22, 2026, someone left their glasses in a postal service mailbox in New York City, and the accumulating snow began to cover them, creating a delicate frost-like coating. While a small detail, it underscored the all-encompassing nature of the blizzard.
