Blizzard Dumps Up to 3 Feet of Snow Across Northeast

Record-breaking storm forces travel bans, school closures, and widespread power outages

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A powerful blizzard pummeled the Northeast on Monday, dumping up to 3 feet of snow in some areas and leaving over 40 million people under weather warnings. The storm caused widespread school closures, thousands of flight cancellations, and power outages affecting over 660,000 customers. Several states, including New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, declared states of emergency and imposed travel restrictions.

Why it matters

This blizzard could rank among the top 10 worst storms in New York City's 150-year history, underscoring the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events driven by climate change. The heavy snow and high winds have disrupted transportation, commerce, and daily life across the region, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness.

The details

The National Weather Service reported snowfall totals of up to 36.2 inches in Warwick, Rhode Island, 35 inches in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and 34 inches in Providence, Rhode Island. In New York, parts of Long Island saw between 16 and 19 inches of snow. The storm also brought hurricane-force winds, with gusts up to 75 mph recorded in Massachusetts. Thousands of flights were canceled, and mass transit systems in major cities were either suspended or operating on reduced schedules.

  • The blizzard began on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The storm is expected to continue into the evening on Monday.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York, who warned that the storm could rank among New York City's top 10 worst storms in 150 years.

Dan McKee

The governor of Rhode Island, who said the state of emergency and travel ban remain in effect so that plow crews can continue clearing roads overnight.

Maura Healey

The governor of Massachusetts, who issued a nonessential travel ban for Bristol, Plymouth and Barnstable counties in southeastern Massachusetts and reduced the speed limit on the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who said the city's travel ban was lifted at noon but urged drivers to use caution and travel slowly.

Ned Lamont

The governor of Connecticut, who banned commercial vehicles from traveling on all limited-access highways until further notice.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

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 historic blizzard highlights the growing threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change and the need for improved infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and community resilience across the Northeast.