New York City Braces for Historic Blizzard, Travel Ban Implemented
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a city-wide travel ban on Sunday, February 22, 2026, ahead of a major blizzard expected to impact the region. The ban, effective from 9 p.m. Sunday to noon Monday, restricts all non-emergency traffic on city streets, highways, and bridges .
State of Emergency Declared
Mayor Mamdani declared a state of emergency, citing the potential for a severe winter storm. The travel ban applies to all vehicles, including cars, trucks, scooters, and e-bikes, with limited exceptions for essential emergency personnel and critical service workers .
Significant Snowfall and High Winds Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for millions across the Northeast, anticipating up to 2 feet of snow along the I-95 corridor . New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia are projected to receive between 18 and 24 inches of snow . Residents should also expect wind gusts up to 70 mph and widespread power outages .
City Preparations Underway
New York City is actively preparing for the storm. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has begun pre-snow operations, equipping vehicles with plows and chains, and loading over 700 salt spreaders . More than 2,200 vehicles are deployed, and over 1,000 emergency snow shovelers will be working throughout the city . The city has also activated a Code Blue, opening warming buses and spaces for those in need .
Regional Impact and Travel Disruptions
The blizzard is expected to impact a large portion of the East Coast. More than 7,000 flights have been canceled across the Northeast as of Sunday afternoon . Boston and other cities along the East Coast are also preparing for extreme weather conditions. A severe winter storm impacted the region at the end of January, resulting in over 100 deaths .
Mayor Mamdani Addresses City Residents
During a press conference on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani cautioned that snowfall in New York City could reach up to 20 inches . He urged residents to avoid all non-essential travel and prepare for potentially dangerous conditions.