Additional Coverage:
Monster Winter Storm Slams Northeast, Prompting Blizzard Warnings and Travel Bans
Updated: February 23, 2026, 12:10 PM EST
A colossal winter storm is currently pummeling the Northeast, blanketing the region with over two feet of snow and triggering the first blizzard warning for New York City in nearly a decade. Governors of both New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as blizzard warnings are now in effect for New Jersey, New York City, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest developments:
New Jersey Extends Travel Ban Amid Historic Blizzard Conditions
New Jersey’s statewide travel ban, initially set to expire this morning, has been extended until noon on Monday. State Police announced the extension, citing “heavy snowfall, blizzard-like conditions, and strong winds that continue to create dangerous travel conditions.”
Residents are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel until the restriction is lifted. This marks the first time in 30 years that all of New Jersey has been under a blizzard warning.
In Hoboken, just outside New York City, local officials have also extended their city-specific travel ban to 4 p.m. “Staying off the roads allows crews to continue plowing safely and allows public safety to address emergencies quickly,” city officials stated. New Jersey Transit has announced a complete suspension of all train and bus services until further notice.
Powerful Winds and Record Snowfall Unleash Chaos
The blizzard’s formidable winds are wreaking havoc, downing trees, damaging vehicles, causing widespread power outages, and creating extremely hazardous travel conditions. Wind gusts have reached astonishing speeds, including 84 mph in the Hamptons, New York; 83 mph on Nantucket, Massachusetts; 73 mph on Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and 62 mph at New York City’s JFK Airport.
Snow totals are exceeding two feet across the Northeast as the intense storm persists. So far, areas near Westhampton, New York, have seen a staggering 27 inches of snow.
Other significant accumulations include 26 inches in Richmond, Rhode Island; 24 inches in Swansea, Massachusetts; 22 inches in Chester, Connecticut, and Langhorne, Pennsylvania; and 19 inches in Bethel, Delaware. Philadelphia has recorded over 13 inches, marking the city’s largest single snowfall in a decade, while Freehold, New Jersey, is buried under a full two feet of snow.
Widespread Power Outages Plague the Region
The storm has left hundreds of thousands without power across the Northeast. Massachusetts and New Jersey are currently the hardest hit, with approximately 270,000 and 120,000 customers experiencing outages, respectively. Emergency crews are working diligently to restore power as conditions allow, but residents are advised to prepare for extended outages.