East Coast Braces for Blizzard Conditions

Heavy snow, strong winds, and potential flooding expected across the region

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Cities and towns along the East Coast are scrambling to prepare for a major winter storm that is expected to bring heavy snow, damaging winds, and potential flooding to communities from Maryland to Massachusetts. The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings, with forecasts calling for 1 to 2 feet of snow in many areas and wind gusts up to 55 mph that could create whiteout conditions and make travel treacherous.

Why it matters

This powerful nor'easter has the potential to be one of the most severe winter storms to hit the densely populated East Coast region in several years, posing significant risks to public safety and causing widespread disruptions to transportation, power, and daily life.

The details

The storm is expected to arrive on Sunday morning in the Washington, D.C. area before moving northward toward Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. The heaviest snow is projected to fall overnight Sunday into Monday, with snowfall rates potentially reaching 2 inches per hour at times. Officials in affected cities and towns are taking precautions, including expanding snow removal efforts, tracking critical infrastructure like bus stops and crosswalks, and urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

  • The storm is expected to arrive on Sunday morning in the Washington, D.C. area.
  • The heaviest snow is projected to fall overnight Sunday into Monday.
  • The storm is forecast to reach Boston by Sunday evening.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued the blizzard warnings and forecasts for the impending winter storm.

Cody Snell

A meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center of the National Weather Service.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who is overseeing the city's preparations for the storm.

John Berlingieri

The owner of Berrington Snow Management, a company that is preparing to clear snow from shopping malls and industrial parks across Long Island.

Scott Evans

The fire chief and emergency management coordinator for Atlantic City, New Jersey, who is warning residents to stay off the streets due to the risk of flooding.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While we do get plenty of these nor'easters that produce heavy snow and strong impacts, it's been several years since we saw one of this magnitude across this large of a region in this very populated part of the country.”

— Cody Snell, Meteorologist, Weather Prediction Center (wbal.com)

“We saw on Friday there was expectation that the likelihood was that we were going to face maybe 3 to 4 inches of snow. Quickly that then changed. So we want to make sure that we make a decision based on up-to-date and accurate information.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (wbal.com)

“I'm anticipating at least one week of work around the clock. We're going to work 24 to 36 hours straight, sleep for a few hours and then go back.”

— John Berlingieri, Owner, Berrington Snow Management (wbal.com)

“I could go on and on probably with a good two dozen streets where we know we will get water and there will be snow on top of that. So you won't be able to see it until it's too late. So therefore please stay at home.”

— Scott Evans, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator, Atlantic City (wbal.com)

What’s next

Officials in affected cities and towns will continue to monitor the storm's progress and make decisions about school closures, travel advisories, and other emergency measures as the blizzard conditions unfold.

The takeaway

This powerful nor'easter serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust winter storm preparedness and emergency response plans in densely populated East Coast communities, as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe due to climate change.