New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency and issued a travel ban Sunday, February 22, 2026, as a powerful blizzard bears down on the northeastern United States. The move comes as forecasters predict potentially historic snowfall across the region, disrupting travel and daily life for millions.
“The city of New York has not experienced a storm of this magnitude in the last decade,” Mamdani said during a press conference, urging residents to avoid all non-essential travel. The travel ban will be in effect from 9:00 p.m. Sunday through noon Monday, closing streets, highways, and bridges to most vehicular traffic, including cars, trucks, scooters, and electric bikes.
The restrictions will allow for the rapid deployment of emergency services and essential workers, officials said. Schools and colleges will be closed Monday, and the city is preparing to provide shelter for those in demand.
Up to 70 Centimeters of Snow Expected
Authorities in New York anticipate worsening conditions throughout Sunday evening and Monday, with significant snowfall expected. Forecasts predict between 45 and 60 centimeters of snow for the city, with some areas potentially receiving up to 70 centimeters, accompanied by strong winds.
New York is not the only city bracing for the storm. Approximately 56 million people across the Northeast are under storm alerts. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency starting at noon Sunday, releasing funds and resources to address the impending crisis.
In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu said the city could see up to 60 centimeters of snow, describing the storm as one that will be “of historic magnitude.” The storm is expected to fully develop Sunday, bringing heavy snowfall and strong wind gusts across a wide area of the northwestern United States. The alert extends through Monday.
The Mid-Atlantic region is also bracing for lesser snowfall amounts, although residents in the Carolinas can expect cold rain throughout the weekend.
The development underscores the vulnerability of major metropolitan areas to extreme weather events and the challenges of maintaining essential services during severe winter storms.
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