Historic Snow Storm Hits United States: Live Updates on Travel Chaos, Power Outages & Safety Tips

A massive February 2026 snow storm is burying the U.S. Northeast under historic drifts, snarling travel from Washington, D.C., to Maine and setting all-time records in several cities. LATEST SNOW TOTALS AND RECORDS BROKEN • Providence, RI: 37.9 inches over two days, the city’s biggest snow event on record • Boston, MA: 16.9 inches by Monday evening, part of a corridor that saw more than three feet in some suburbs • Worcester, MA: 16.2 inches and climbing • New York City (Central Park): 11.4 inches, the heaviest one-day February snowfall since 2010 WHAT’S DRIVING THE BLIZZARD? Meteorologists say a rapidly intensifying coastal low—classified as a bomb cyclone because its central pressure dropped more than 24 mb in 24 hours—is tapping Atlantic moisture and frigid Arctic air. The resulting nor’easter is producing snowfall rates of 2–4 inches per hour and wind gusts topping 60 mph, meeting official blizzard criteria in parts of Rhode Island, eastern Massachusetts and coastal Maine. IMPACTS AT A GLANCE • Power outages: More than 1.3 million customers have lost electricity as wet, heavy snow and gale-force winds topple trees and transmission lines. • Air travel: Over 5,400 flights into and out of major Northeast hubs have been canceled since Sunday night, with residual delays expected through mid-week. • Roads: Portions of Interstates 90, 95 and 84 are closed or restricted to essential vehicles; dozens of jackknifed tractor-trailers have already been reported. • Schools & offices: Boston, Providence, Hartford and New York City public schools are closed; many employers have shifted to remote operations. FORECAST: HOW LONG WILL THE SNOW LAST? The core of the storm will pivot slowly into Atlantic Canada by late Thursday, but wrap-around snowfall and lake-effect bands could linger across interior New England and upstate New York through Friday morning. Additional accumulations of 4–8 inches are possible in the Green and White Mountains, while coastal sections should taper to flurries late Wednesday night. Bitter wind chills below 0 °F are forecast to follow the storm, raising the risk of frostbite for anyone outdoors more than 30 minutes. SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS TIPS 1. Stay informed: Monitor National Weather Service alerts and local forecasts every few hours. 2. Avoid travel until plows have cleared primary and secondary roads; blowing snow can reduce visibility to near zero. 3. Charge mobile devices and keep flashlights handy; use generators outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning. 4. Clear snow from roofs, decks and exhaust vents to prevent structural damage and ice dams. 5. Check on elderly neighbors and keep pets indoors; both are vulnerable to hypothermia in sub-zero wind chills. LOOKING AHEAD Long-range models hint at another southern stream system that could ride the same coastal track early next week. If frigid air remains entrenched, the Northeast could face back-to-back snow storms before March arrives. Keep an eye on updated forecasts as the atmosphere shows no sign of spring just yet. By staying alert and prepared, residents can ride out this record-shattering blizzard safely while crews work around the clock to restore power, clear runways and reopen highways.