NEW YORK, Feb 23, 2026 (V7N) - A powerful winter storm swept across New York City and much of the northeastern United States on Monday, trapping millions indoors under blizzard warnings and strict travel bans, while forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights.

Heavy snow fell at rates of 2–3 inches per hour from New York to Massachusetts, with accumulations exceeding a foot in several areas. Strong wind gusts over 30 mph created whiteout conditions and dangerously low visibility.

Air travel was severely disrupted, with more than 5,000 flights canceled nationwide, according to FlightAware. Major airports in New York, New Jersey, and Boston were hardest hit.

Blizzard warnings stretched from Maryland to Maine. Authorities in New York City issued emergency alerts banning non-essential road travel through noon Monday, while similar restrictions were enforced in Rhode Island and New Jersey.

Snowfall totals included 22.5 inches at Long Island MacArthur Airport, 16 inches in parts of New York City, 22 inches in Freehold, New Jersey, and up to 17 inches in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Public transportation was suspended in some areas, delivery services paused, and more than 400,000 customers lost power along the East Coast. States and cities declared emergencies as crews worked to clear roads and restore electricity.

Forecasters described the system as a “classic bomb cyclone / nor’easter,” warning that heavy snow and strong winds could continue to cause severe disruptions before tapering off later in the day.

END/AJ/RH