Snowball Fight Erupts in Central Park Amidst Historic Blizzard

New York City experienced a historic blizzard this week, with snowfall totals reaching nearly two feet in some areas. Amidst the winter wonderland, an impromptu snowball fight broke out in Central Park, even involving a local police car. The playful scene, captured on social media, has sparked a lighthearted debate: Team “hit and run” or Team “hide”?

Record Snowfall Blankets the Tri-State Area

The powerful nor’easter brought heavy snow and strong winds to the Northeast, disrupting travel and daily life. As of February 23, 2026, Central Park recorded 19.7 inches of snow, making the Blizzard of 2026 the ninth largest snowstorm in the park’s history, according to the National Weather Service [NBC New York].

Snowfall Totals Across the Region

Snowfall totals varied across the tri-state area. Here’s a breakdown as of 1 p.m. ET on February 23, 2026:

• New York City:
• Central Park: 19.7 inches
• John F. Kennedy Airport: 19.8 inches
• LaGuardia Airport: 22.2 inches
• Islip: 29.1 inches
• New Jersey:
• Newark: 27.1 inches
• Ridgefield: 27.1 inches
• Freehold: 26 inches
• Mount Holly: 20.3 inches
• Trenton: 16.4 inches
• Atlantic City Airport: 16.9 inches
• Philadelphia:
• Langhorne: 22 inches
• Philadelphia: 14 inches
• Allentown: 5.2 inches
• Reading: 2 inches

Travel and Recovery Efforts

A citywide travel ban was lifted at noon on Monday, February 23, but drivers were urged to exercise caution. Public schools were closed Monday, with classes resuming on Tuesday. Over 5,000 Sanitation Department plows and salt spreaders worked to clear the streets [amNewYork].

Blizzard of 2026 in Historical Context

The National Weather Service has compiled a list of the biggest snowstorms (defined as 1 foot or more) registered in Central Park since 1869. The Blizzard of 2026 currently ranks ninth on that list [NBC New York]. The largest recorded snowfall remains at 27.5 inches, which occurred between January 22-24, 2016.

The storm brought blizzard conditions to much of the Northeast, with over 40 million people under blizzard warnings from Maryland to Maine [USA Today].