From February 22–24, 2026, a powerful, historic and deadly blizzard, unofficially named Winter Storm Hernando by The Weather Channel and various media, or more commonly the Blizzard of 2026, caused extensive impacts across the Northeastern United States. The storm dropped of snow across a large swath of the megalopolis from Philadelphia to Boston, with up to in southeastern New England, while also bringing blizzard conditions, strong gusty winds, and coastal flooding to the shorelines of the region. Originating out of a shortwave trough that moved ashore on the West Coast of the United States on February 20, the system swiftly moved eastwards across the country before beginning to consolidate late the following day. A new surface low developed off the southeastern United States early on February 22 and began moving north, before rapidly strengthening overnight, bringing blizzard conditions and very heavy snowfall to the Northeast corridor on February 23, moving into Atlantic Canada by later that day. The blizzard gradually weakened after exiting Canada, dissipating on February 25.
States of emergency were declared in seven states, including New Jersey, New York and large portions of New England. Heavy precipitation was anticipated for major U.S. metropolitan areas, some of which were predicted to set new records. Blizzard warnings were issued for a majority of northeastern Mid-Atlantic states, the first such in New York City and Boston, respectively, since March 2017 and January 2022. Travel bans were enacted in multiple regions such as New York City and the state of New Jersey. The blizzard was described by some as among the worst to threaten the Northeast since the blizzard of 1996.
A total of 30 fatalities from the blizzard have been confirmed: 15 in New Jersey, 6 in New York, 2 each in Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, and one in Massachusetts. Over 600,000 people lost power at the height of the blizzard due to strong gusty winds. Blizzard conditions were verified across numerous locations, including New Jersey and Massachusetts, with both daily and all-time snowfall records being broken throughout the Northeast. Hurricane-strength wind gusts were reported in New England, nearly reaching in the immediate coastal regions. Coastal flooding caused minor to moderate damage along the Jersey Shore and surrounding waters. Total damage was estimated to be $500 million. Meteorological history
In mid-February 2026, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) began highlighting the development of a potential coastal storm in the Northeastern U.S. within the February 20–23 timeframe. Key factors in the development included a shortwave trough originating from the Pacific Ocean. Initial forecasts were uncertain as forecasting models depicted differing tracks of the storm, which would determine the level of impacts across the coastal areas. On February 19, the shortwave moved ashore into the West Coast of the United States in the state of California. The next day, the disturbance moved eastward across the Rocky Mountains, dropping light snowfall accumulations across small portions of the High Plains. By February 21, a stationary front was situated over the southeastern United States, where the main low was forecasted to form.
As the mid- and upper-level disturbances aligned in a more favorable orientation, cyclogenesis led the formation of a new surface low with a pressure of off the North Carolina coast early on February 22, which began moving northeastwards. As it strengthened, it developed an eye-like feature. The cyclone then began to rapidly strengthen or "bomb out" during the afternoon and nighttime hours; blizzard conditions began developing along the coastline as winds increased, while intense snowbands with snowfall rates of an hour developed and pivoted west towards New Jersey. Additionally, thundersnow and lightning became likely, as the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) highlighted a corridor in the Northeast outlining the possibility due to intense convection. By 03:00 UTC on February 23, the WPC began issuing periodic storm summary bulletins on the blizzard. The storm explosively deepened to a pressure of by 15:00 UTC, producing heavy snow and hurricane-force wind gusts in southeastern New England. It would further deepen to a pressure of by 21:00 UTC as conditions in the Mid-Atlantic and New England began to improve while heavy snow bands began impacting coastal Maine. Snowfall began to end early on February 24 as the storm headed away from New England. The WPC issued its last storm summary at 09:00 UTC.
Preparations Weather alerts at 1:50 a.m. EST (06:50 UTC) on February 22 in advance of the winter storm around Pennsylvania and New Jersey Blizzard warning Winter storm warning Winter weather advisory Storm warning Gale warning Small craft advisory United States The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of potential blizzard conditions in areas such as Long Island and regions closer to the ocean in anticipation of strong gusty winds and whiteout conditions. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron 71 from the Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi was sent to gather data on the environment on February 21.
Starting on February 20, winter storm watches were issued for much of the coastal areas of the Northeastern United States, encompassing areas from Washington, D.C., to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. By February 22, winter storm warnings were issued for parts of the Hudson Valley and Pennsylvania, while blizzard warnings covered all of Delaware, eastern Maryland, all of New Jersey, all of Connecticut and New York City—the first such warnings issued there since January 1996, February 2010 and March 2017, respectively—and into southern New England. It was also the first such warning for Boston and all of Rhode Island since January 2022 and for all 21 New Jersey counties since January 1996. In addition, coastal flood warnings were issued from the Jersey Shore into New York City and upwards toward the counties of Westchester and Fairfield.
An estimated 8,000 flights for February 22–23 were cancelled by airlines, with over 22,000 of them being delayed by the evening of February 22. Almost 1,000 of the cancellations were from Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport. Due to the storm, Amtrak cancelled over 30 trains.
Mid-Atlantic New York and New Jersey
New York governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 22 counties on February 21, including the activation of over 100 members of its National Guard. A travel ban was issued for all commercial vehicles and tractor trailers from I-84 and points south, including the New York State Thruway/I-87, beginning at 4 p.m. EST on February 22. PSEG Long Island (PSEG) warned residents about strong winds and heavy snowfall with the likelihood of power outages.
In New York City, where roughly of snow were anticipated, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that snowplow operations would begin on February 21. Its Department of Sanitation shifted to a 12-hour schedule with 5,000 workers. That same day, a "code blue" took effect, starting at 4 p.m. EST. On February 22, Mamdani announced the closure of all public schools, as well as a citywide travel ban, beginning at 9 p.m. EST. Public libraries across the boroughs of New York, Brooklyn and Queens were closed that day. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) suspended infrastructure projects and de-icer trains were deployed. Metro-North Railroad announced they would be running hourly schedules for the Harlem, New Haven, and Hudson lines, while the Long Island Rail Road would operate a Sunday schedule for February 23.
New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency on February 21, urging residents to stay off the roads. On February 22, its Department of Transportation (NJDOT) confirmed that around 3,400 workers were prepared to start pretreating roads. That night, the Office of Emergency Management issued a statewide travel ban, starting at 9 p.m. EST. Near the Jersey Shore, where upwards of and wind gusts of were predicted, some stores reported that they were running low on salt supplies due to residents buying snow preparation equipment, which had just been restocked following significant depletion after a major winter storm in January. In Atlantic City, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods that were at extensive risk of coastal flooding, people were advised to avoid traveling. NJ Transit suspended buses and light rails, beginning at 6 p.m. EST on February 22.
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro issued a disaster emergency declaration on February 22. Its Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that approximately 60,000 tons of salt were ready across five counties. Over 170 trucks began pretreating roadways on February 21, having been delayed by a day due to wet roads from rain on February 19. In Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle Parker and multiple communities declared snow emergencies. A "code blue" went into effect from February 22–25, citing below-freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. Warming centers were opened for the homeless, and procedures were implemented to keep those people safe. The School District of Philadelphia switched to virtual learning for February 23. Restrictions on vehicles were put in place on most major roadways in eastern Pennsylvania, including I-76, I-78, I-81, I-83, I-84, I-95, I-276/Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-283, I-295, I-380, I-476, I-676, PA 33, and US 22.
Maryland governor Wes Moore declared a "state of preparedness" on February 21, coordinating readiness efforts statewide and issued a state of emergency on February 22. 45 members of its National Guard were deployed. Government offices were closed for February 23. In Baltimore, its Emergency Operation Center was activated ahead of the storm. Warming centers were opened citywide on February 22, including those in Baltimore County.
Delaware governor Matt Meyer declared a state of emergency on February 22. Later that day, Meyer issued a "level 2 driving restriction", which went into effect at 9 p.m. EST. Both of its Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Operations Center were activated. Drive-on surf fishing crossings were closed in three state parks. All state offices across the three counties were closed on February 23. Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser deployed around 200 snowplows, with road treatments beginning by noon on February 22. Shelter hours were adjusted as well. In Virginia, its Department of Transportation briefly held off treating roadways, owing to concerns of rainfall washing away salts. In Norfolk, while flood levels were not expected to reach those necessary to activate their parking plan, residents were advised to avoid driving on flooded roadways. An "overflow" resource plan was activated for people in need of shelter. In West Virginia, multiple schools were delayed or closed for February 23.
New England Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
Connecticut governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency on February 21. Afterwards, Lamont ordered a partial activation of its Emergency Operations Center, as well as its Severe Cold Weather Protocol. Over 600 snowplows and specialized equipment were available, while hundreds of workers were put on standby to assist with damages and outages. During preparations, storm crews faced depleted budgets after multiple rounds of snow throughout the winter. In New Haven, Mayor Justin Elicker activated its Emergency Operations Center. Several warming centers were opened citywide for February 23–24. Snow emergencies were declared in Stamford and Bridgeport, respectively, on February 21–22. In West Hartford, a parking ban was issued on February 22. Statewide, school districts announced closures for February 23.