Tri-State Blizzard of February 22, 2026: Snowfall Totals Surge to 6 Inches in Spots as Nor’easter Batters NYC, NJ, and CT
By Staff Reporter | Updated February 23, 2026
A powerful nor’easter slammed the Tri-State area on Sunday, February 22, 2026, delivering heavy snow, blistering winds, and blizzard conditions across New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut. As of early Monday, snowfall totals have reached up to 6.1 inches in parts of New Jersey’s Monmouth County, with New York City areas reporting 1.5 to 3.1 inches. Forecasts warn of even higher accumulations, potentially 12-24 inches in coastal zones, as the storm continues into Monday afternoon.[1][2][4]
Current Snowfall Reports Paint Picture of Widespread Impact
National Weather Service observations, compiled late Sunday, reveal a patchwork of accumulations amid intensifying bands of snow. In New Jersey, Monmouth County led with 6.1 inches 1 SSW of Freehold Township, followed by 6.0 inches in Freehold and 5.0 inches in Colts Neck. Hudson County’s Harrison saw 2.2 inches, while Newark Airport measured 2.0 inches.[1][2]
New York City proper experienced lighter but steady snow: Central Park at 1.8 inches, Battery Park at 1.5 inches, Kennedy Airport at 1.7 inches, and Coney Island at 2.9 inches. Long Island spots like Center Moriches (3.6 inches) and East Williston (3.1 inches) fared better, with Islip Airport at 2.0 inches.[1][2][3]
Connecticut’s Fairfield County reported modest totals, including 0.8 inches at Bridgeport Airport. Westchester County’s Mamaroneck saw just 1.0 inch, while Suffolk County’s Mount Sinai measured 1.5 inches.[1][3]
Blizzard Warnings and Life-Threatening Travel Conditions
The storm prompted rare blizzard warnings across all 21 New Jersey counties for the first time since 1996. Officials described “blizzard whiteout conditions” with snow rates of 1-3 inches per hour and wind gusts up to 60 mph, creating near-impossible driving scenarios.[4][5]
“We are expecting blizzard conditions… the snow can be coming down at times from 1-3 inches an hour,” noted a state official, comparing it to January’s slower storm. Travel bans were enacted in NYC and parts of the Tri-State, with the heaviest snow forecasted between 7 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday.[4]
Forecast: Higher Totals Still Ahead
While mid-storm reports show 1-6 inches, projections indicate much more. NYC could see 12-18 inches overall, with 18-24 inches possible in southern Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island’s South Shore, and Jersey Shore coastlines. Inland Central Jersey, Northern NJ, Lower Hudson Valley, and CT anticipate 12-18 inches; Upper Hudson Valley and far NW NJ similar.[1][4][6]
Meteorologists emphasize the storm’s evolution: light snow Sunday morning intensified overnight, with heavy bands pummeling the region. “This is going to get worse as we progress throughout the overnight,” warned News 12, highlighting life-threatening travel risks.[5]
| Location | Total | County/State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 SSW Freehold Twp | 6.1 | Monmouth, NJ |
| Freehold | 6.0 | Monmouth, NJ |
| Center Moriches | 3.6 | Suffolk, NY |
| Coney Island | 2.9 | Kings, NY |
| Central Park | 1.8 | New York, NY |
| Bridgeport Airport | 0.8 | Fairfield, CT |
Regional Impacts and Preparation
Airports like Newark (2.0 inches), LaGuardia (1.7 inches), and Kennedy (1.7 inches) faced delays and closures. Power outages flickered in coastal areas due to gusts, and plows battled accumulating drifts.[2][3]
Residents hunkered down amid the first major blizzard in years. FOX 5 urged downloading apps for live updates, while CBS noted the storm’s halfway point by 1 a.m. Monday, with more snow to come.[2][4]
“Heavy snow, snow rates between 1 and 3 in per hour. That’s where we’re going to pile up to see that over a foot of snowfall still likely throughout the majority of the Tri-State.” – News 12 Meteorologist[5]
Looking Ahead: Storm Tapers Monday
The nor’easter eases Monday afternoon, but cleanup looms with potential records challenged. This event echoes historic blasts, underscoring climate’s volatile winters in the Northeast.[6]
Authorities advise avoiding roads, monitoring updates, and preparing for outages. As totals finalize, the Tri-State braces for a snowy aftermath.