A developing bomb cyclone Nor’easter off the East Coast will bring blizzard conditions to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on February 22, 2026. Snowfall rates of 3-4 inches per hour combined with high winds will make travel conditions extremely hazardous and bring widespread power outages to the region.

Update Feb 23, 2026 1:00 PM EST.

The powerful nor-easter buried the northeast in more than two feet of snow across much of the Eastern Seaboard by this afternoon. Blizzard warnings affected more than 40 million people.

According to PowerOutage.us, as of 1:00PM EST, over 563,000 homes and business are without power, leaving up to 2 million people in the dark and many without heat.

Airlines canceled over 5600 flights today.

The nor’easter officially became a bomb cyclone with a pressure drop of 40 millibars in 12 hours. A bombgenisis is a drop of 24 millibars in 24 hours. The lower the pressure, the strong the storm. Although nor’easters are cyclones, they differ significantly from tropical cyclones like hurricanes and storm.

Travel during blizzards is DANGEROUS. Your safest option: Stay home and off the roads. If you MUST travel, be prepared: Tell someone your route, check conditions, keep a full tank/charge, and ensure your emergency kit is on board. Don’t risk it!
~National Weather Service via X

—-end update 2/23/2026 1:00 PM EST

Up to 80 million people are in the path of a major winter storm about to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.

A major winter storm will bring heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast today, including blizzard conditions from the DelMarVa Peninsula through southeastern New England. Forecasters expect impossible travel conditions and power outages. (How to Prepare for a Power Outage)

  • Snowfall up to 24 inches in parts of New Jersey, Long Island, and Coastal New England through Monday night.
  • Near zero visibility and whiteout conditions from heavy snow combined with wind gusts up to 75 MPH possible.
  • Travel will become impossible with impassable roads, including major highways. Airlines have canceled more than 6000 flights into and out of the region through Monday night. Expect the suspension of rail and bus services.
Ways to Keep the Power On During a Power Outage

Portable Power Stations are a great backup power option for apartments during a power outage.

Over 7000 Flights Impacted

    • JFK (JFK)
    • Lagauardia (LGA)
    • Newark (EWR)
    • Philadelphia (PHL)
    • Reagan (DCA)
    • Boston Logan (BOS)

Prepare for the Winter Storm

  • Keep enough non-perishable food, water, and medications for at least 3 days. (3 gallon of water per person is enough for 3 days
  • Enough warm clothing and blankets
  • Have an updated first aid kit.
  • Charge your phone in advance. Charge your extra battery or battery backups.
  • Subscribe to emergency alerts.

    Anyone attempting to travel by car could be stranded for extended periods of time. If you must travel by car, be prepared with an emergency kit for the possibility of being stranded.

    Winter Weather Safety and Preparedness

    Historic Snowfall Totals Could Exceed 2 Feet

    Emergency declarations are in effect from the Mid-Atlantic through the Northeast with Winter Storm Warnings and Blizzard Warnings.

    New York City has put out calls Emergency Snow Shovelers to remove ice and snow from bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and other public areas. Hiring is per day as needed. Pay starts at $19.14 per hour and increases to $28.71 per hour.

    •  The Jersey Shore could receive more than 2 Feet of snow.
    • New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston expect 18-24 inches.
    • Baltimore and Washington DC will receive 5-8 inches.

    National Weather Service Key Messages

    • Major Winter Storm
      A winter storm with widespread, significant impacts is expected across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast today into Monday as a low-pressure system rapidly intensifies of the Mid-Atlantic coast. Snowfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour will occur at times, with snowfall totals as high as one to two feet resulting in nearly impossible travel conditions.
    • Blizzard Conditions
      The combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds will result in blizzard conditions along the coastal areas from the DelMarVa Peninsula through southeastern New England. Sharply reduced visibility will make travel extremely treacherous across these areas.
    • Power Outages Expected
      Wind gusts of 40-70 MPH are expected from Coastal New Jersey into southeast New England. These strong winds, combined with the weight of the heavy, wet snow, should result in scattered to numerous power outages
    • Coastal Flooding and Erosion
      Moderate to major coastal flooding, with the inundation of roads and property near the waterfront, is forecast from Delaware to Cape Cod.

    National Weather Service Key Messages for the Late February Noir'easter including impacts from the Major Winter Storm, Blizzard Conditions, Power Outages, and Coastal Flooding. National Weather Service Graphic issued Sunday February 22, 2026

    NWS Key Messages for the Late February Nor’easter. (click to expand image)

    Did you know?
    A standby generator is fully automatic. It runs on your home’s existing natural gas or propane supply. When an outage hits, the generator starts automatically, restores power to your home in about 20-30 seconds, and runs until the power company restores power. Then it shuts down automatically and switches the house back to utility power. Even if you’re not home, it keeps your family and home safe.

    How To Safely Power Your Home with a Generator

    Generator Safety During Winter Power Outages

    Do you use a portable generator for backup power during a power outage? Follow these important safety rules.

    • NEVER run a generator indoors or in any enclosed space, not even a garage with the doors wide open. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill in minutes and without warning.
    • Place your generator a minimum of 10 feet from the building and 20 feet from any openings like windows, doors, vents, soffits, and crawlspace entrances.
    • Only use outdoor-rated extension cords or generator cords RATED for the outlet size you plug them in into. A 20-Amp outlet requires a 20-Amp Cord.
    • NEVER use a male-to-male cord to plug your generator into an appliance outlet to power your home. It is dangerous and illegal with the possibility of fire, electrocution, not just to yourself, but to neighbors and utility linemen.
    • Read and follow the safety warnings in the generator owner’s manual. Read and follow all the precautions on the safety stickers on your generator.
    • NEVER refuel a generator while it is running. Stop the engine. Let it cool down for five minutes (Great time to check the oil and add more if needed). Clean up any gasoline spills before restarting the engine.
    Portable Generator Safety Rules to Live By