Winter Weather Continues to Disrupt Northeast and Midwest

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Published Feb 24, 2026 11:05 AM EST | Updated Feb 25, 2026 8:13 AM EST

Following a major blizzard that impacted the coastal Northeast, additional winter storms are forecast to bring snow and ice to portions of the Midwest and Northeast through the week, with another potentially impactful system looming early next week.

Recent Blizzard and Upcoming Storms

Winter is persisting after Monday’s blizzard buried parts of the coastal Northeast under 3 feet of snow. Two additional storms will spread snow and ice across parts of the Midwest and Northeast before the end of the week. While the magnitude of the recent bomb cyclone – estimated to have caused $34-$38 billion in damage and economic losses AccuWeather – these upcoming storms are expected to be less disruptive. However, even small accumulations of snow or ice can lead to accidents, flight delays and school closures.

Storm Details

The first storm, originating in western Canada, moved swiftly from the northern Great Lakes on Tuesday and reached the coastal Northeast on Wednesday. A fresh coating to an inch of snow, along with a wintry mix of rain and sleet, is possible in parts of the Boston and New York City metro areas. Motorists should anticipate slippery conditions around Boston and north of New York City during the Wednesday morning commute.

A speedy-moving system will follow, racing from the Plains to the northern Atlantic coast in just over 24 hours. The strip of accumulating snow will extend from the Dakotas Wednesday night to Ohio and West Virginia by Thursday morning. Accumulations will generally range from a coating to a slushy inch or two, though localized areas may observe a few inches.

Some snow or a mix of snow and rain is forecast for Des Moines, Iowa, and Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio. As the storm reaches the Appalachians and the Atlantic Coast, it may transition to rain. Moist air interacting with cold ground and existing snow cover could also lead to areas of dense fog in the coastal Northeast.

Arctic Air and Potential for Further Disruptions

A surge of Arctic air is forecast to move southeastward into the Upper Midwest this weekend and the Northeast from Sunday to Monday. This will be the first significant surge of Arctic air since the frigid outbreak earlier in February. The front may produce scattered snow, sleet, and rain showers as it moves east.

This cold air may set the stage for a broader zone of snow and ice early next week as another storm develops. While the track and intensity of this storm are still uncertain, it could bring the most significant travel disruptions since the recent blizzard in the Northeast and the most significant wintry weather for parts of the Midwest in weeks. Chicago and Detroit could face travel problems from snow and ice next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The storm could also bring substantial rain to parts of the coastal Northeast, increasing the risk of urban flooding. Areas south of the storm track may experience springlike warmth, with highs in the 60s, 70s, and even the 80s, along with potential severe thunderstorms in parts of the South.

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