Historic Blizzard Slams Southern New England

Blizzard criteria met for the first time in 4 years, with some areas seeing over 3 feet of snow.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A powerful winter storm has brought historic snowfall to southern New England, with blizzard conditions reported across the region. The storm has dumped over 3 feet of snow in some areas, breaking records and leaving behind a massive cleanup effort. Forecasters warn that more snow could be on the way in the coming days.

Why it matters

This blizzard is a significant weather event that has disrupted daily life across the region, with school and business closures, power outages, and dangerous travel conditions. It highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme winter storms due to climate change, and the need for communities to be prepared for such events.

The details

The storm met the criteria for a blizzard, with sustained wind speeds or frequent gusts of at least 35 mph and reduced visibility to 1/4 mile or less for at least 3 consecutive hours. Some areas saw over 14 inches of snow, while others received as much as 3 feet, setting new records. The intense stationary snow band that developed across southeastern Massachusetts was particularly efficient at producing heavy snowfall.

  • The blizzard began on February 23, 2026 and lasted through February 24, 2026.
  • This is the first time blizzard conditions have been reported in southern New England in 4 years.

The players

Pete Bouchard

A meteorologist reporting on the storm for NBC10 Boston.

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What they’re saying

“In the annals of blizzards in New England, this will rank up there. And we were "due," in a sense.”

— Pete Bouchard, Meteorologist (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

Another weak weather system is expected to bring additional snow and a mix of rain on Wednesday, while a stronger storm system on Friday could also bring more accumulation.

The takeaway

This historic blizzard serves as a stark reminder of the increasing threat of extreme winter weather events driven by climate change. Communities will need to continue to invest in preparedness and resilience measures to protect residents and infrastructure from the impacts of these powerful storms.