Northeast US Digs Out From Brutal Winter Storm

Flights disrupted, schools canceled as region hit with record snowfall

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A powerful winter storm blanketed the Northeast US with over 2 feet of snow, causing widespread disruptions including thousands of flight cancellations, school closures, and power outages. Neighbors, government workers, and a railroad snow-clearing machine nicknamed 'Darth Vader' scrambled to dig out as the storm moved northward, with forecasters warning another storm could be on the way.

Why it matters

The storm was one of the strongest to hit the Northeast in a decade, underscoring the region's vulnerability to extreme winter weather events that are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. The disruptions to transportation, power, and schools highlight the need for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness to mitigate the impacts of such storms.

The details

The storm dumped over 2 feet of snow in parts of the Northeast, with the highest total of over 3 feet recorded in Warwick, Rhode Island. Thousands of flights were canceled, and mass transit was disrupted in major cities like New York and Philadelphia. Hundreds of thousands lost power, and schools were closed, raising questions about the feasibility of reopening in some areas due to the snow.

  • The storm hit the region on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • By Tuesday, February 25, 2026, roads were beginning to reopen and power was being restored in some areas.
  • Forecasters warned that another storm could be on the way later in the week, potentially bringing more snow to the already hard-hit region.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who announced that schools would reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday despite the ongoing snow cleanup.

Vito Fossella

The Staten Island Borough President, who said that schools should remain closed due to the snow.

Michael Mulgrew

The president of the United Federation of Teachers, who described the situation as 'a big mess' and predicted low attendance due to the snow.

Kamar Samuels

The chancellor of New York City's schools, who said the district was 'confident in our decision to reopen' schools on Tuesday.

Frank Pereira

A meteorologist for the National Weather Service, who warned that even a few extra inches of snow could make the cleanup more difficult.

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What they’re saying

“There's going to be low attendance of students. You're going to have low attendance of staff because people don't know if they can travel, if they can get to schools.”

— Michael Mulgrew, President, United Federation of Teachers (wral.com)

“Any additional snow at this point is probably not going to be welcome.”

— Frank Pereira, Meteorologist, National Weather Service (wral.com)

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 storm highlights the need for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness in the Northeast to mitigate the growing impacts of extreme winter weather events driven by climate change. The disruptions to transportation, power, and schools underscore the importance of proactive planning and coordination to ensure communities can quickly recover from such severe storms.