Blizzard of 2026 Shatters Records: Massive Snow Totals Grip Massachusetts as State Grapples with Outages and Emergencies
BOSTON — A historic nor’easter dubbed the Blizzard of 2026 pummeled Massachusetts on Monday, February 23, blanketing the state in record-breaking snow, triggering widespread power outages, and prompting a state of emergency declaration from Governor Maura Healey.[2][3]
Southeastern Massachusetts bore the brunt of the storm, with snow totals soaring past **30 inches** in several towns, surpassing expectations and rivaling the infamous Blizzard of 1978. Neighboring Providence, Rhode Island, shattered its all-time record with **32.8 inches**, eclipsing the previous mark of 28.6 inches set nearly five decades ago.[1][3]
Town-by-Town Snowfall Breakdown
Heavy, wet snow fell at rates of up to **four inches per hour** in the hardest-hit areas, particularly southeastern communities.[2][3] As of late Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service, SKYWARN Coordinator Rob Macedo, and WBZ-TV Weather Watchers reported the following totals:
| Town | Snow Total (inches) |
|---|---|
| Westport | 36 |
| New Bedford | 31 |
| Norton | 31 |
| Dighton | 30 |
| Seekonk | 30 |
| Hanson | 30 |
| West Bridgewater | 30 |
| Whitman | 29.6 |
| Abington | 29 |
| North Scituate | 29 |
| Middleboro | 28.7 |
| Taunton | 27 |
| Pembroke | 26 |
| Brockton | 25.5 |
| Rochester | 25 |
| Swansea | 24 |
| Carver | 23 |
| Plymouth | 20 |
| Boston (city) | 18–20 |
| Logan Airport | 14.4 |
| Worcester | 13.3 |
These figures represent accumulations as the storm peaked, with an additional **1–3 inches** possible east of Route 495 before tapering off by evening.[1][2] Boston’s seasonal total reached **57.7 inches** by 1 p.m., the highest since the 2017-2018 winter.[3]
State of Emergency and Widespread Disruptions
Governor Healey declared a **state of emergency** and mobilized **200 National Guard members** to assist with response efforts.[2] Over **280,000 power outages** plagued the state, exacerbated by ferocious winds gusting up to **83 mph** on Nantucket and **77 mph** in Wellfleet.[1][2]
Logan International Airport suspended operations amid **nearly 1,000 flight cancellations**, while the MBTA halted services and Amtrak canceled trains between New York and Boston until at least 4 p.m.[2] A travel ban was enforced in southeastern Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Turnpike speed limit dropped to **40 mph**.[2][4]
Schools across Boston and surrounding districts closed again on Tuesday, compounding disruptions from this winter’s second major snow event—following over **23 inches** on January 25-26.[4]
Meteorologists Marvel at Storm’s Intensity
WBZ-TV chief meteorologist Eric Fisher described southeastern Massachusetts snowfall as “at the top of the scale for anything they ever see.”[2][4] The storm met official blizzard criteria around 9:20 a.m. ET in Boston, with snow from Route 495 eastward totaling **12–18 inches**, and **16–24 inches** from Boston to Providence.[1]
State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver deployed **3,000 pieces of snow removal equipment**, anticipating major highways cleared by Tuesday morning, though local roads will require more time.[2]
Recovery Ahead Amid Lingering Winter Grip
As the storm meandered eastward Monday afternoon, snowfall subsided around Boston by 7 p.m., though Cape Cod and the Islands faced prolonged high winds.[1] Melting will be slow, with significant changes not expected until the second week of March, leaving the region in midwinter conditions for now.[1]
This Blizzard of 2026 marks a memorable and dangerous chapter in New England’s weather history, testing infrastructure and resilience across Massachusetts.
Snow totals are preliminary and subject to official National Weather Service updates. Check local authorities for the latest on road conditions and power restoration.