Winter storm live updates: Northeast prepares for historic blizzard
About 41 million people are under blizzard warnings as forecasters predict up to 2 feet of snow for some areas, 70 mph wind gusts and dangerous whiteout conditions overnight.
What we know
- Blizzard warnings now cover 41 million people from Maryland to Maine, with the worst conditions expect late tonight into the morning commute.
- Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Connecticut have declared states of emergency, with commercial vehicle bans and travel restrictions taking effect as early as 5 p.m. ET.
- New York City’s travel ban begins at 9 p.m. ET, with officials warning the storm could rank among the city’s top 10 worst in 150 years.
- NJ Transit will suspend buses, light rail and Access Link service at 6 p.m., while the Long Island Rail Road plans a systemwide suspension at 1 a.m. ET.
- Several school districts, including New York City and Boston, announced schools will be closed tomorrow.
- Thousands of flights have been canceled nationwide, with New York-area airports — especially JFK — seeing the highest number of disruptions.
The difference between a snowstorm and a blizzard
Not every major snowstorm qualifies as a blizzard. The key difference isn't just how much snow falls — it's the wind and visibility.
The National Weather Service issues blizzard warnings when sustained winds or frequent gusts of at least 35 mph combine with visibility of a quarter mile or less for three hours or more.
Forecasters are expecting roughly 12 hours of wind gusts between 50 and 70 mph, along with intense snow bands capable of producing 2 to 4 inches per hour. That combination is likely to create near whiteout conditions, with visibility dropping below a quarter mile across much of I-95 corridor and coastal areas from Maryland to New Hampshire.
Snowfall totals are also forecast to be significantly higher than the storm in January. This system has the potential to bring 1 to 2 feet of snow across the Northeast.
Service changes for NYC subways, buses, ferries and more
A ferry passes underneath the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday. Michael Nagle / Bloomberg via Getty Images
The MTA announced that today's inclement weather will affect service on its subways, buses, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Access-A-Ride.
Some express subway lines will be running local starting today, while the wait for buses may be longer than normal, according to the MTA.
LIRR service will shut down this evening, and the Metro-North will operate on an hourly schedule Monday. Access-A-Ride will not take any reservations after 9 p.m. today due to the city's travel ban, which will stay in effect until 12 p.m. tomorrow.
The city's ferry service will end at 5 p.m. today as a result of ongoing blizzard conditions.
Satellite images show scope of storm across the coast
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere shared a clip of satellite images of today's storm as it moves across the region, offering some insight into the scope the blizzard.
"A blockbuster winter storm takes shape in the Northeast," the institute said in a post on X.
41 million people under blizzard warnings
Roughly 41 million people are under blizzard warnings in the Northeast from Maryland to Maine, and some alerts may remain in effect into Tuesday morning.
The timeline for the highest impacts continues to be late tonight into tomorrow. In this time frame, 50-70 mph wind gusts and snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour may occur along the coastal regions.
This combination will create blinding conditions with visibilities dropping under a quarter mile. Conditions will continue through the morning commute, with gradual clearing anticipated through the afternoon and evening hours.
Snowfall total reports
As of 2 p.m, snowfall totals include 5 inches in Campton, Virginia, 2.5 inches in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and 1.5 inches in Smithsburg, Maryland.
Forecast totals include up to 2 feet of snow in New York City and Boston, 18 inches in Philadelphia and 6 inches in Washington, D.C.
Rhode Island declares state of emergency and announces a travel ban
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee declared a state of emergency and a travel ban ahead of intense blizzard conditions.
The state's emergency declaration begins at 5 p.m. ET and will run until tomorrow afternoon. McKee also said that a commercial ban will begin as early as 5 p.m. ET, with a ban on all motor vehicles to follow just two hours later.
One resident braces for the storm with a dog walk on the beach
As the blizzard approaches the Jersey Shore, one local was still out on the beach, walking her dog, Holly Golightly.
NBC News
“I’ve lived in many snowy places, so this doesn’t bother me,” Kathryn South said, recalling winters in Vermont with similar totals.
The beach was mostly empty, the waves choppy and the wind beginning to pick up.
“You have a dog, so you have to walk the dog,” she said. “We both love snow."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warns blizzard will be 'in the top 10 worst winter storms in the last 150 years'
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned residents that current light snow flurries falling across the state were not the extent of the blizzard, saying "the worst is yet to come."
"It’s going to exceed all expectations even now, so you need to be prepared for the worst," Hochul said. "And in fact, New York City is bracing for one to make some history, be in the top 10 worst winter storms in the last 150 years."
Hochul declared a state of emergency yesterday in preparation for the storm, which is forecast to bring over 2 feet of snow to some parts of the state. Hochul warned residents to stay off the roads, a restriction she said state police will be enforcing, including from 9 p.m. tonight until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning in Long Island.
"We expect around 6 o’clock tonight, that’s the witching hour for this storm, everything’s going to shift, and the snow will accelerate, the wind will accelerate, and from that point on, the conditions will be nothing but dangerous," Hochul said.
Over 100 members of the state's National Guard are ready to be deployed across the state, Hochul said.
Map: Wintry weather's impact
According to the NOAA's Winter Storm Severity Index, as of this afternoon, New York City, Long Island, parts of Massachusetts and much of New Jersey are forecast to receive the brunt of the coming storm.
Newark Public Schools will be closed tomorrow
Newark Public Schools will be closed tomorrow due to inclement weather, Superintendent Roger León announced today.
Pennsylvania under disaster emergency declaration
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proclaimed a disaster emergency declaration for the state in order to scale up its resources ahead of the blizzard conditions moving over the East Coast.
The governor's office said that the order will allow state officials to use emergency funding to assist with winter storm response efforts across counties. Shapiro also ordered 150 members of the National Guard to be ready to respond to Philadelphia and northeastern Pennsylvania.
"Our teams at PEMA, PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania National Guard have been working around the clock to prepare for this storm and support local communities across our Commonwealth,” Shapiro said.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont declares state of emergency and commercial vehicle travel ban
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency today as the state braced for significant snowfall.
Lamont also signed an emergency order prohibiting all commercial vehicles "from traveling on all limited access highways statewide" from 5 p.m. today until further notice. Commercial vehicles include trucks, tractor-trailers and any vehicles with trailers.
“We’re no stranger to snow in Connecticut, but I’m urging everyone to take this storm and the blizzard conditions it will bring seriously,” Lamont said in a statement issued today. “During its height, we are going to experience intense winds that will cause whiteout conditions, severely limiting visibility and making motor vehicle travel very dangerous. Everyone statewide is strongly urged to avoid all unnecessary, non-essential travel."
NJ transit and Long Island Rail Road to suspend services
Those in the New York and New Jersey area should be prepared to head home as soon as possible as some services will be suspended as early as 6 p.m. ET tonight.
NJ Transit will suspend most of its service ahead of the worst of the snow, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced just a couple of hours after her emergency press conference.
"We will be suspending NJ TRANSIT service at 6:00 PM today on all buses, light rail, and Access Link," Sherrill said in a post on X. "Currently, we expect trains to run into this evening. We are likely to suspend service some time tonight, and that will be announced."
The Long Island Rail Road is expected to run a little bit later, saying it will have a systemwide suspension at 1 a.m. ET, with the last trains for most branches leaving between 11 and 11:30 p.m. ET.
'Calm before the storm': residents stock up ahead of historic blizzard
With the entire state under a blizzard warning for the first time since 1996, residents in Long Branch, New Jersey, spent the morning stocking up and bracing for what forecasters say could bring as much as 30 inches of snow.
Benjamin Cohen, a resident and local doctor, said he made an early-morning run to the grocery store to prepare.
“I ran out at 7 a.m. to the supermarket and grabbed as much food as I could,” Cohen said. “Filled my car up with gas and I’m going to enjoy not working tomorrow.”
He admits he wasn’t ready for the last big storm.
“I didn’t believe the last one, so I wasn’t prepared. I learned from my mistake,” he said, recalling sliding on icy roads. “This time I got what I need. I just have to get more water.”
Before the snow starts falling in earnest, he plans to enjoy brunch with friends. “It’s not going to start until later, right?” he said. “This is the calm before it all begins.”
George Nikolis, who has lived in the area for six years, echoed that sentiment.
“My fiancée and I stocked up on essentials for the next two to three days,” he said. “Based on the forecast, it looks like conditions will deteriorate quickly.”
Nikolis said he plans to stay put and watch the storm unfold.
Snow begins falling along Jersey Shore as winds intensify
Along the northern Jersey Shore — one of the areas expected to be the hit hardest — rain has changed over to snow within the past hour. It's just beginning to stick to grassy surfaces, but conditions are deteriorating quickly.
Jacob Cavaiani / NBC News
Winds are steadily intensifying and wave heights have noticeably increased along the coast. Forecasters say this area could see more than 2 feet of snow before the storm moves out.
DoorDash says it will stop services in New York City tonight
42nd Street in Manhattan, New York City, on Sunday. Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images
New York City residents will have to get in any needed deliveries as soon as possible, as DoorDash says it will suspend its services at 8:30 p.m. tonight, just before a travel ban is set to take effect, according to company spokesperson Julian Crowley.
“New York City is bracing itself ahead of a historic blizzard — the first in nearly a decade — with a foot of snow or more and dangerous wind gusts expected," Crowley said. "We’re suspending operations early to keep Dashers safe and off the streets before the travel ban takes effect."
The suspension will continue until at least noon tomorrow, Crowley said.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency for the city and announced a travel ban will take effect at 9 p.m. ET ahead of the worst of the storm. Others similar services are likely to suspend deliveries tonight to comply with keeping roads clear.
Shelter hotline open for those who need a warm place in D.C.
The nation's capital city has a hotline available for those who need access to a warm shelter as the snowy conditions intensify on the East Coast.
Current forecasts predict 2 to 4 inches of snow in D.C. as rain turns into snow this evening, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a post on X. She also reminded people to call (202) 399-7093 to request free, accessible transportation to a shelter for themselves or a neighbor in need.
Maryland under 'state of preparedness' order, Gov. Moore says
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a "state of preparedness" as severe winter weather is expected to move over the state.
Eastern areas of the state were under a blizzard warning yesterday while the rest of the state is under either a winter storm warning or watch. The state's Department of Emergency Management said it is under an "enhanced" activation protocol.
"The safety of Maryland families comes first," Moore wrote in a post on X. "Please prepare early, stay informed, and adjust plans — including postponing travel — as conditions change."
More 3,200 flight cancellations and 3,700 delays
LaGuardia Airport in New York City on Sunday. Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images
As of this afternoon, more 3,200 flights traveling into, within and from the U.S. have been canceled and 3,700 have been delayed, according to FlightAware.com.
New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport is responsible for most of the travel disruptions, racking up 721 cancellations and 107 delays. LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport trailed right behind JFK.
'We haven’t seen a storm like this in a decade': New York City declares travel ban
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a news conference on Sunday. Spencer Platt / Getty Images
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a travel ban that will go into effect at 9 p.m. until 12 p.m. due to projected dangerous road conditions.
“We haven’t seen a storm like this in a decade. Some parts of the city could see up to 28in,” Mamdani warned in a post on X.
Massachusetts declares a state of emergency and activates National Guard
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency and warned residents to stay off the roads tonight.
Healey has activated the State of Emergency Operations Center and authorized up to 200 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with storm response.
Coastal flooding warning in effect in New Jersey
Though all 21 counties in New Jersey are under a blizzard warning, those by the shore are also under a coastal flooding advisory from state officials.
David Sierotowicz, the acting superintendent for New Jersey State Police, advised anyone by the water to remain at home if they can. He reminded the public that "roads can wait, your life can't."
"Remember, if you see a roadway that may be flooded: turn around, don't drown," Sierotowicz said.
N.J. governor warns of high winds and whiteout conditions
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill urged residents to stay off the roads tonight as the heaviest part of the storm is expected to roll over the state, bringing potentially 3 inches of snow per hour.
"This is a very heavy, wet snow. There are incredibly high winds, up to 60 miles per hour. That means that we could see branches and trees falling into the highway drifts and whiteout conditions," Sherrill said at a press conference today. "It will be incredibly dangerous — do not travel tonight."
A commercial vehicle ban will go into effect at 3 p.m. ET for all roads except the New Jersey Turnpike, which is an interstate highway. A temporary speed limit of 35 mph will also go into effect, the governor said.
Hundreds of thousands of tons of salt have been spread across roadways already, Sherrill said, as crews prepare for 1 to 2 feet of snow. New Jersey Transit will continue running service to help commuters get home, but inland trains will go no faster than 45 mph.
"I'm going to say it again: stay off the roads," Sherrill said. "Stay home. Keep your phones and computers charged. Stay in tomorrow. Check in on your neighbors, especially the elderly."
Snow emergencies and closures spread ahead of storm
Several cities along the East Coast declared snow emergencies today as a powerful winter storm barrels toward the region.
Snowfall at 125th Street subway station, in New York City, on Sunday. Ryan Murphy / Getty Images
In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency, with a citywide parking ban taking effect at 2 p.m. Vehicles parked on major roads and main arteries will be subject to towing once the ban begins. City officials are urging residents to follow snow regulations and avoid travel if possible.
Boston Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, and all extracurricular activities, sports and programs tonight and tomorrow have been canceled.
Delaware Gov. Matthew Meyer also declared a state of emergency at noon, activating statewide resources ahead of what forecasters say could be a significant blizzard.
In New York City, public schools will be closed tomorrow — the city’s first traditional snow day since 2019, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during a news briefing. Mamdani urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as heavy snow and strong winds are expected to create hazardous conditions.
2 feet of snow projected for some places
Roughly 35 million people from Maryland to New Hampshire woke up to blizzard warnings as a powerful winter storm threatens to bring up to 2 feet of snow and strong winds to parts of the region.
Rrain and snow showers began to filter in across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions this morning. The low-pressure system will continue to intensify as it moves up the coast in the afternoon, spreading heavy snow and gusty winds.
“We haven’t seen a storm like this in a decade. Some parts of the city could see up to 28in,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned on social media.
The strongest part of the storm will come during the evening and overnight hours into Monday morning, with the possibility of 2-4 inches of snowfall per hour and 50-70 mph wind gusts. Travel conditions will be exceptionally dangerous, with visibility dropping under a quarter of a mile and deep snowdrifts expected to develop.
Projected snowfall totals for New York City and Boston range from a foot to 2 feet. Philadelphia could receive up to 18 inches of snow, while Washington, D.C., is forecast to get 3 to 6 inches.
