Record Snowfall Slams New England, Snarls New York City

The blizzard left over half a million homes and businesses without power across the Northeast.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A powerful blizzard dumped over 3 feet of snow in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, setting new records. The storm knocked out power to over 500,000 homes and businesses across the Northeast, with Cape Cod seeing over 85% of customers without electricity. Authorities urged residents to stay off the roads to allow for snow clearing and power restoration efforts.

Why it matters

The historic snowfall and widespread power outages caused major disruptions across the region, impacting travel, infrastructure, and daily life. The storm highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change, which can overwhelm local response capabilities.

The details

The blizzard brought heavy, wet snow and strong winds that snapped tree limbs and stranded hundreds of vehicles on icy roads. In Providence, Rhode Island, a record 33 inches of snow had fallen by Monday afternoon, while an unofficial total of 37.9 inches was recorded at the nearby T.F. Green International Airport. Authorities in Massachusetts restricted travel in several counties and lowered speed limits on major highways to aid snow removal efforts.

  • The storm reached its peak on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • By Monday evening, over 500,000 homes and businesses were without power across the Northeast.

The players

Josh Estrella

A spokesman for the city of Providence, Rhode Island, where a record 33 inches of snow had fallen.

Maura Healey

The Governor of Massachusetts, who restricted travel in several counties and lowered speed limits to aid snow removal efforts.

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What they’re saying

“This appears to be the most historic blizzard we've received.”

— Josh Estrella, Spokesman, City of Providence

“We'll let you know when you can be back on the roads.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

What’s next

Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on road conditions and power restoration efforts in the coming days.

The takeaway

The record-breaking snowfall and widespread power outages caused by this blizzard underscore the need for communities to be better prepared for the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change.