Northeast Buried Under Historic Snowfall, Millions Impacted

A historic blizzard slammed the northeastern United States from Maryland to Maine on Monday, February 23rd and Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, paralyzing transportation, closing schools and businesses, and leaving millions without power. Meteorologists are calling the storm the strongest in a decade, with some areas receiving over two feet of snow.

Record-Breaking Snowfall

The storm brought unprecedented snowfall totals across the region. Providence, Rhode Island, was particularly hard hit, receiving 33 inches (83 cm) of snow, shattering the previous record of 28.6 inches (72.6 cm) set in February 1978 . Latest York City’s Central Park recorded almost 20 inches (51cm) . Accumulation records were broken in multiple locations throughout the metropolitan Northeast .

Widespread Disruptions

The severe weather led to widespread disruptions across the Northeast. A travel ban was implemented in New York City, bringing the city of over 8 million to a near standstill, though it was lifted at noon on February 24th . New York City Public Schools were closed, marking the first “old-school” snow day in six years . Millions of students were given a full snow day, with no online or in-person classes scheduled .

More than 284,000 households and businesses were without power, primarily in Massachusetts . Transportation systems were severely impacted, with numerous flight cancellations and delays. Over 11,000 flights were cancelled . The Long Island Rail Road resumed service on six branches starting at 4 a.m. On Tuesday, February 24th, while Metro-North Railroad operated on a Saturday schedule with reduced service .

State of Emergency and Response

Multiple states declared a state of emergency, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Officials urged residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has been in office for two months, has now overseen two major snowstorms . No deaths have been reported in New York City as a result of the storm, though 19 deaths were attributed to a January storm .

Looking Ahead

While the snow has begun to taper off in many areas, the National Weather Service is tracking another storm that could bring additional snowfall to the region later this week . The storm that impacted the Northeast was described as a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter” . Recovery efforts are underway, with a focus on restoring power and clearing roadways.

New York City public libraries reopened on Tuesday .