New England Digs Out After Historic Blizzard

Snow totals reached up to 3 feet, leaving officials to tackle days-long cleanup efforts.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A powerful winter storm blanketed parts of New England with up to 3 feet of snow, with the hardest-hit areas including southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The blizzard conditions caused widespread power outages and disrupted travel, though some residents still found moments of joy amid the snow. Officials say it will take days to fully restore power and clear the roads.

Why it matters

This blizzard is being compared to some of the most historic winter storms to hit the region, like the Blizzard of '78 and the prolonged storms of 2015. The significant snowfall and high winds have created major challenges for local communities, underscoring the need for effective emergency response and long-term infrastructure planning to handle extreme weather events.

The details

The storm brought around a foot of snow to the Greater Boston area, while southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island saw totals reach up to 3 feet. Scituate received 32 inches, Somerset saw 36 inches, and Providence exceeded the Blizzard of '78 record with more than 3 feet of snow. Despite the hazardous conditions, some residents were spotted cross-country skiing and building jumps in Boston Common during the height of the storm.

  • The blizzard conditions persisted throughout most of Monday, with clear skies returning on Tuesday as the cleanup efforts began.
  • Officials say it will take days to fully restore power and clear the roads of snow.

The players

Boston

The city saw just under 17 inches of snow during the blizzard.

Scituate

The coastal town received 32 inches of snow.

Somerset

The town saw 36 inches of snow, one of the highest totals in the region.

Providence

The city eclipsed the Blizzard of '78 record, receiving more than 3 feet of snow.

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What’s next

Officials will continue to work on restoring power and clearing roads in the coming days as the region recovers from the historic blizzard.

The takeaway

The severity of this winter storm underscores the need for communities in New England to be prepared for the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. Effective emergency response and long-term infrastructure planning will be crucial to mitigating the impacts of future blizzards and other extreme weather.