New York City is slowly resuming operations after a blizzard dumped at least 20 inches of snow across the city and surrounding areas, with Long Island receiving as much as 30 inches, according to reports updated Monday evening.
The storm, which reached bomb cyclone status, began Sunday and continued through Monday, causing widespread disruption to transportation and daily life. While the heaviest snowfall has ceased, significant challenges remain as residents and city workers begin the process of digging out. NJ Transit’s Newark Light Rail and River Line services were restored on a Sunday schedule Monday, and limited Long Island Rail Road service resumed at 4 a.m. Tuesday, according to updates provided throughout the day.
The impact on schools has drawn criticism from Republican City Council members, who released a statement calling the decision to maintain in-person learning on Tuesday “hasty, and misguided.” Councilmember Joann Ariola, speaking on behalf of the New York City Council Minority Conference, argued that outer-borough communities were “disparately impacted” by the blizzard and that many students would be unable to attend school due to the ongoing conditions. The statement urged the Department of Education to either close schools or offer a remote learning option for affected students.
The blizzard of 2026 marks the city’s first such event since 2016. The storm impacted areas beyond New York City, with snowfall totals exceeding two feet in parts of the Tri-State area, particularly in Suffolk County and portions of New Jersey.
Road travel bans were in effect across much of the Northeast, leaving millions stranded at home. As of Monday evening, the full extent of the storm’s economic impact remained unclear, and city officials have not yet announced a comprehensive plan for snow removal and recovery.
