NYC Declares Travel Ban as Blizzard Triggers Thousands of Flight Cancellations

Airlines cancel over 3,000 flights across the Northeast as winter storm threatens up to 20 inches of snow.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 6:27pm

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency and a travel ban starting Sunday night as a major winter storm approaches the Northeast, with the National Weather Service forecasting blizzard conditions and up to 20 inches of snow over the next 24 hours. Airlines have already canceled over 3,000 flights and delayed over 2,900 across the region, with New York City's major airports seeing the highest number of cancellations.

Why it matters

The blizzard and resulting travel ban will severely disrupt transportation and commuting in the New York City metro area, impacting both residents and travelers. The flight cancellations will strand passengers and create a ripple effect across the airline industry. The storm also comes amid a partial government shutdown, which has already led to the suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, adding to the travel chaos.

The details

The travel ban declared by Mayor Mamdani will close all streets, highways, and bridges in New York City from 9 p.m. Sunday until 12 p.m. on Monday. Airlines have already canceled over 3,000 flights and delayed over 2,900 across the Northeast, with New York's JFK and LaGuardia airports, as well as Newark, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Boston airports seeing the highest number of cancellations. At LaGuardia, 82% of Monday's flights have already been canceled.

  • The travel ban in New York City begins at 9 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026 and lasts until 12 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026.
  • The National Weather Service is forecasting blizzard conditions and up to 20 inches of snow over the next 24 hours, starting on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who declared a state of emergency and a travel ban as the blizzard approached.

The National Weather Service

The government agency that issued the forecast for blizzard conditions and up to 20 inches of snow in the Northeast.

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What they’re saying

“The state of emergency closes the streets, highways, and bridges of New York City for all traffic.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Business Insider)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This blizzard and resulting travel ban will severely disrupt transportation and commuting in the New York City metro area, stranding passengers and creating a ripple effect across the airline industry. The storm also comes amid a partial government shutdown, which has already led to the suspension of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs, adding to the travel chaos.