New York City Sees First Major Snowstorm in Years

Residents enjoy a rare snow day as the city is blanketed in nearly 20 inches of snow.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

New York City experienced its first major snowstorm in nearly seven years, with over 19 inches of snow recorded in Central Park by Monday afternoon. The blizzard conditions led to school closures, travel restrictions, and a rare snow day for residents who took advantage of the quiet, snow-covered streets to sled, make snow angels, and simply enjoy the serene winter landscape.

Why it matters

Snow days are a cherished part of childhood in many cities, but have become increasingly rare in New York due to improved snow removal capabilities. This storm provided a nostalgic respite from the city's typical hustle and bustle, allowing residents to reconnect with the simple pleasures of playing in the snow.

The details

The snowstorm, which began early Monday morning, quickly accumulated nearly 20 inches of snow, making it one of the top 10 snowstorms on record for the city. With travel restrictions in place, the streets were eerily quiet, allowing residents to freely roam, sled, and frolic without the usual traffic. While some businesses remained open to serve the community, many New Yorkers took the opportunity to enjoy the winter wonderland, including students who were given a rare snow day off from school.

  • As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, 19.7 inches of snow had been recorded in Central Park.
  • The snowfall so far was half a foot short of the highest amounts recorded during a blizzard in 2016, which reached 27.5 inches.
  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that public schools would be closed, and no remote classes would be held.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the school closures for the snow day.

Zoe Chebar

A 17-year-old who arrived at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn with her friends and their sleds to enjoy the snow day.

Veronica Arévalo

A 16-year-old who walked a mile to Fort Greene Park to go sledding, appreciating the temporary driving ban.

Gus Weir

A 16-year-old who enjoyed the snow and being able to walk in the street due to the lack of car traffic.

Astoria

A wild turkey that roams Battery Park and was seen strolling through a snowdrift in Lower Manhattan.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My dad's a chauffeur. He's the happiest guy alive right now.”

— Veronica Arévalo, 16-year-old (The New York Times)

“It makes me a little more scared of cars because I can't hear them coming. But I am loving the snow, it's very pretty. I like being able to walk in the street.”

— Gus Weir, 16-year-old (The New York Times)

“I was jonesing for some lox, so I thought, what better place to come than here.”

— John Collins (The New York Times)

“People depend on us.”

— Eli Maghi, Employee at Greene Bites 24-hour bodega (The New York Times)

“When it snows like this, people don't tend to come to the E.R. It's been nice and calm.”

— Miguel Vasquez, Hospital security worker (The New York Times)

What’s next

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that public schools would be back in session in person on Tuesday, though he said he would allow himself to be pelted with snowballs, knowing students may be disappointed by the news.

The takeaway

This rare snowstorm provided a much-needed respite for New Yorkers, allowing them to reconnect with the simple joys of playing in the snow and experience the city in a serene, transformed state. The snow day highlighted the importance of preserving these magical moments, even in a bustling metropolis like New York.