Nor’easter Slams Northeast, Bringing Blizzard Conditions and State of Emergency Declarations
A powerful nor’easter is impacting the Northeast, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding from the Carolinas to New England. New York City is under a blizzard warning for the first time in nearly a decade, with the last one issued in March 2017. Over 50 million Americans are bracing for winter storm conditions as of Saturday morning, with impacts expected to continue through Monday.
State of Emergency Declarations
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency for 22 counties, including New York City, warning residents to take the storm seriously. “We’re all New Yorkers, we think we can handle anything but you require to hear this from me … This is one to take seriously,” Governor Hochul said during a press conference on Saturday . The National Guard is prepared to assist during the blizzard.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has as well declared a state of emergency for all 21 counties, effective noon on Sunday .
Forecast and Expected Impacts
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for southern Delaware, the Jersey Shore, all of New York City, Long Island, and coastal Connecticut, citing confidence in snowfall exceeding one foot and gusty winds that will create blizzard conditions.
Coastal flood watches are in effect from coastal Delaware to the Jersey Shore, Long Island, and the southern coast of New England, anticipating minor to moderate coastal flooding during high tide.
The storm is expected to develop over the coastal Carolinas on Sunday, bringing rain to the Mid-Atlantic and scattered light to moderate snow from Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York by Sunday afternoon. The storm will intensify off the coast of North Carolina and Virginia as it tracks northeast.
By early Monday morning, heavy snow, strong wind gusts, and coastal flooding are anticipated across much of the coastal Northeast. Snowfall should begin to taper off Monday evening for most areas, except for New England, which may experience intermittent precipitation.
New York City Preparations
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to stay indoors and off the roads for their safety. He warned that Monday morning’s commute will be extremely hazardous due to heavy snowfall, peak winds, slippery conditions, and potentially icy sidewalks and streets .
Snowfall in New York City is expected to begin at 6 a.m. On Sunday, becoming heavier throughout the day. Intense snowfall and dangerous winds are forecast to increase overnight into Monday evening. Current estimates predict 13 to 17 inches of snow, with a possibility of up to 20 inches .
Infrastructure Updates
A $61.8 million pavement and bridge rehabilitation project on I-95 in the Bronx and Westchester County was recently completed in December 2025, repaving 24 lane miles and rehabilitating 11 bridges and ramps . An $86.7 million pavement improvement and bridge rehabilitation project kicked off in Westchester in April 2025 .