By Trendsetter Tribune 
NEW YORK — A massive “bomb cyclone” and nor’easter—the most powerful storm to strike the region in a decade—has left the northeastern United States paralyzed under record-breaking snowfall. As of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, millions of residents from Maryland to Maine are beginning a grueling “dig-out” process, even as forecasters warn that a second, smaller storm could bring additional accumulation later this week.
The storm’s rapid intensification on Monday triggered whiteout conditions, hurricane-force winds, and thousands of cancellations, bringing the Interstate 95 corridor to a grinding halt.
Record Accumulations: The 3-Foot Club
The storm hit a “Goldilocks” temperature profile that allowed for exceptionally heavy, wet snow. While the entire region was blanketed, Rhode Island bore the brunt of the record-breaking accumulation.
- The Epicenter: Warwick, Rhode Island, recorded a staggering 36.5 inches (3 feet) of snow, surpassing the totals from the historic Blizzard of 1978.
- T.F. Green Airport: Rhode Island’s main airport recorded nearly 38 inches, effectively shutting down operations through early Tuesday.
- New York City: Central Park measured 19 inches, marking the city’s most significant snowfall in years.
- Regional Totals: Parts of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Delaware also reported totals exceeding 24 inches (2 feet).
Travel Chaos: 10,000+ Flights Grounded
Transportation networks were decimated by the blizzard, with “impossible” travel conditions reported along major highways.
| Impact Category | Scale of Disruption |
| Aviation | Over 10,000 flights were canceled between Sunday and Tuesday. JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Boston Logan were the worst affected. |
| Power Outages | At its peak, the storm left over 700,000 customers in the dark. Massachusetts and New Jersey remain the hardest hit as crews struggle with 80 mph wind gusts. |
| Road Bans | Mayor Zohran Mamdani imposed a citywide non-essential travel ban in New York City until Monday afternoon. Similar bans were seen in Bristol and Barnstable counties in MA. |
| Rail Service | Amtrak suspended most service between Boston and New York, while NJ Transit halted all bus and light rail operations on Monday. |
The “Darth Vader” Machine and the School Debate
Recovery efforts have required heavy machinery, including a specialized railroad snow-clearing machine nicknamed “Darth Vader” that was deployed to clear tracks in the New York metropolitan area.
However, the most significant local debate involves the reopening of schools:
- The “Old-School” Day: For the first time in six years, New York City children were granted a traditional “snow day” on Monday with no remote learning.
- The Reopening Friction: Mayor Zohran Mamdani has insisted that schools reopen for in-person instruction on Tuesday. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from the United Federation of Teachers and Staten Island officials, who argue that sidewalks buried under three-foot drifts make student travel unsafe.
The “Washington Square” Snowball Fight
Despite the danger, thousands of residents took to parks once the blizzard warnings expired. A massive snowball fight in New York’s Washington Square Park went viral on Monday night, though it turned controversial after videos showed NYPD officers being pelted with snowballs—behavior the police commissioner later labeled as “disgraceful.”
What’s Next?
- Wednesday Slush: Meteorologists are tracking a second, weaker system expected to arrive on Wednesday. While only a few inches are expected, the added weight of new snow on already damaged trees and power lines could cause further outages.
- Refreeze Risk: With temperatures expected to drop Tuesday night, officials are warning of “black ice” as melted slush refreezes across city streets.