A powerful winter storm has brought significant snowfall and disruption to the Northeastern United States, with New York City and Boston particularly affected. As of February 23, 2026, New York City is grappling with nearly 40 centimeters of snow, threatening to break historical records, although Boston is covered in a thick layer of snow complicating mobility.
In New York City, Central Park had recorded 15.1 inches (38.3 cm) of snow by 7:00 AM local time on February 23rd. If snowfall exceeds 20.9 inches, the storm will rank among the five most intense snowfalls in the city’s recorded history. The current record stands at 27.5 inches, set in January 2016. Mayor Zohran Mamdani imposed a travel ban for non-essential vehicles until noon on Monday, resulting in unusually empty scenes in iconic locations like Times Square.
The storm’s impact extends beyond New York City. Some areas of New Jersey have seen snowfall exceeding 60 centimeters, with Freehold reporting 24.2 inches (61.5 cm) as of 8:00 AM on February 23rd. The storm has forced the cancellation of over 5,300 flights nationwide.
Further north, Boston faces a 40-60% probability of receiving six inches or more of snow between Sunday and Monday, according to recent forecasts. While the exact trajectory and timing remain uncertain, models indicate a strengthening coastal storm approaching New England. The storm is currently moving out of New England after leaving up to 90 cm of snow in some states and causing hundreds of thousands of power outages.
The disruption has extended to education, with New York City’s public schools – serving approximately 900,000 students – closed for a “snow day,” suspending both in-person and remote learning. Broadway performances scheduled for Sunday evening were also canceled. Similar closures were reported in New Jersey, and Boston.
A significant ice storm is also developing in the Southern United States, from Texas to the Southeast. The precise location where ice will transition to rain near the Gulf Coast, and whether the Midwest and Ohio River Valley will experience ice or snow, remains unclear.
