A major snowstorm is threatening much of the United States on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with potential accumulations exceeding 30 centimeters across large swaths of the East Coast, including New York City, authorities have warned. The approaching storm raises concerns about widespread disruption to travel and daily life in a region still recovering from recent severe winter weather.
Following a powerful winter storm in late January that resulted in over 100 fatalities, major cities in the Northeast – including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington – are once again preparing for extreme conditions. These include heavy snowfall, strong winds, and the risk of power outages.
The National Weather Service (NWS) cautioned that areas such as Boston could see between 30 and 60 centimeters of snow, while other cities in the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions are forecast to receive between 23 and 45 centimeters.
According to the NWS, travel could become “nearly impossible” in some areas of the East Coast due to the combination of heavy snow, strong wind gusts, and reduced visibility. Flood alerts are also in effect for states including Delaware and New Jersey.
Officials in New York City began taking preventative measures on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as the storm system approached. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the city is anticipating between 33 and 43 centimeters of snow, but did not rule out accumulations of “50 centimeters or even more” in some areas.
“I urge all New Yorkers to stay home and avoid travel,” the mayor said, warning that travel during the morning of Monday, February 23, 2026, could be “extremely dangerous.” He reinforced the message on social media, stating: “Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
Approximately 56 million people are under some form of winter alert in the Northeastern United States, including 14 million in New York state, where a blizzard warning is in effect. Here’s the first blizzard warning for New York City in nine years.
The storm is expected to fully develop on Sunday and intensify overnight, bringing persistent snowfall and strong wind gusts to a wide area of the Northeast. The system is moving slowly, and alerts are expected to remain in place through at least Monday.
The Mid-Atlantic region is also expected to receive snowfall, though of lesser intensity, while the Carolinas are forecast to experience freezing rain over the weekend.
“A blizzard warning means that severe winter weather conditions are expected or are occurring,” the NWS explained, recommending that travel be restricted to emergency situations only. For those who must travel, the agency advised carrying a winter survival kit in their vehicles.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency declaration for New York City, Long Island, parts of the Hudson Valley, and the Capital Region. “We are deploying 100 National Guard members & 25 vehicles to assist local partners,” she also announced via X.
I am declaring a State of Emergency in New York City, Long Island, parts of the Hudson Valley and Capital Region ahead of tomorrow’s winter storm.
100 members of the National Guard members & 25 vehicles are being deployed to assist local partners.
Text your county to 333111 for… pic.twitter.com/MKKqXDwL24
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 21, 2026
Snowfall in New York City could begin in the early hours of Sunday and increase in intensity towards the evening, with peak accumulation rates of up to five centimeters per hour, according to official forecasts.
The storm’s impact also extends to mountain resort areas. Ski centers in the Northeast remain on alert, days after eight people died and one remains missing following an avalanche during a snowstorm in Northern California.
With information from EFE and AFP
