36 Inches of Snow Shuts Down Schools Across Northeast

Cleanup efforts continue as winter storm causes widespread power outages and hazardous travel conditions.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A powerful nor'easter that hit the Northeast on Sunday and Monday has forced dozens of school districts across multiple states to cancel classes for Tuesday. The storm dumped over 36 inches of snow in some areas, leaving road crews scrambling to clear buried streets and restore power ahead of the new school day. Many districts have extended closures into Tuesday as they contend with the excessive snowfall, downed power lines, and continued travel hazards.

Why it matters

The widespread school closures highlight the significant impact this winter storm has had on the region, disrupting education and daily life for thousands of families. The heavy, wet snow and dangerous travel conditions have also put a strain on local resources as communities work to recover and prepare for the return of students and teachers.

The details

The storm brought blizzard conditions, extremely strong winds, and snow totals exceeding 2 feet in several states across the Northeast. Road crews are working to clear buried streets and restore power, but with cold air moving in, wet spots are expected to refreeze, worsening travel conditions on Tuesday. Numerous school districts in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York have announced closures for Tuesday due to the ongoing cleanup efforts.

  • The powerful nor'easter hit the Northeast on Sunday and Monday.
  • As of Monday afternoon, many school districts announced closures for Tuesday.
  • The National Weather Service expects winter storm warnings and alerts to expire before school begins on Tuesday morning.

The players

Jonathan Porter

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist who warned that with cold air coming in, wet spots will refreeze and worsen travel conditions across the region on Tuesday.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Colder air will surge across the Northeast on the backside of this winter storm. Slush and wet spots could refreeze Monday night into Tuesday morning, creating additional slippery travel.”

— Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist (Newsweek)

What’s next

As the region continues to dig out from the storm, officials will monitor road conditions and power restoration efforts to determine if schools can safely reopen on Wednesday.

The takeaway

This winter storm has caused significant disruption across the Northeast, forcing schools to cancel classes and communities to focus on cleanup efforts. The combination of heavy snow, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions has highlighted the need for robust emergency preparedness and response plans in the face of extreme weather events.