Nor'easter Breaks Snow Records Across Northeast

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A powerful Nor'easter that blew up in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend of February 22 has left widespread snowfall totals of 20 to 30 inches across the Northeast, with some areas like Providence, Rhode Island and Islip, New York breaking records for the most snowfall in a single storm.

Why it matters

This Nor'easter is a stark reminder of the intensity and unpredictability of winter weather patterns, which are being exacerbated by climate change. The record-breaking snowfall has caused widespread disruptions and power outages, underscoring the need for communities to be prepared for extreme weather events.

The details

The storm, described as a "bomb cyclone" and "blizzard", was "perfectly situated for the best production of snow", according to Zach Taylor, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. At times, the storm was dumping snow at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour. Preliminary, unofficial data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that Rhode Island recorded the highest snowfall totals, with some locations reporting over 36 inches of snow.

• The storm system blew up in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend of February 22.
• By the evening of February 23, the storm had left widespread snowfall totals of 20 to 30 inches across the Northeast.

What they’re saying

What’s next

As communities across the Northeast continue to dig out from the record-breaking snowfall, officials will assess the full extent of the damage and begin the process of restoring power and clearing roads.