Summary

Watch: Winter storm covers parts north-east US in snow

Live Reporting

Edited by Caitlin Doherty and Alex Smith

  1. Over 5,000 flights cancelled as airlines face 'significant disruptions'

    As we have been reporting, more than 5,000 flights within, into or out of the US are cancelled today, and almost 600 more are delayed.

    According to FlightAware, the two airports with the most cancellations - John F Kennedy and LaGuardia - are based in New York.

    As of 11:00 GMT (06:00 ET), here are the US airports facing the most cancellations today.

    These figures take into account flights setting off and arriving to the airports, so one flight will be impacting two locations.

    • John F Kennedy International: 1,086 cancellations
    • LaGuardia: 1,025 cancellations
    • Boston Logan International: 968 cancellations
    • Newark Liberty International: 861 cancellations
    • Philadelphia International: 602 cancellations

    JetBlue, an American low-cost airline that has cancelled 776 flights, says customers can expect "significant disruptions and cancellations" until 24 February.

    As we've already reported, flights from the UK and Ireland to New York and Boston have been cancelled on Monday.

  2. How are storms monitored in the US?

    A person crossing the street in New York City holding a snow-covered umbrella during the blizzardEPA

    In the US, the National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for issuing forecasts, watches and warnings for a variety of weather and water hazards.

    It forms part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is a federal government agency.

    The NWS issues warnings when "hazardous weather poses an immediate threat to life or property".

    As a reminder, tens of millions in the US are facing winter storm warnings or the more extreme blizzard warnings.

    A winter storm warning is issued when the threat is "predominantly snow or a mix of snow and sleet", the NWS says, while a blizzard warning involves "sustained or frequent gusts to 35mph (56km/h) or greater and considerable falling and/or blowing snow", with conditions lasting for at least three hours.

  3. Some areas could see up to 2ft (60cm) of snow

    Chris Fawkes
    BBC Weather presenter

    A powerful blizzard is battering the northeastern US states with heavy snow and very strong winds combining to bring widespread transport disruption and some powercuts.

    There's already been 18 inches (45cm) of snow recorded in some eastern parts of Pennsylvania with the heaviest snow moving across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts through Monday.

    Some areas could see around 2ft (60cm) of snow before the storm moves away during Monday night.

    There will be some huge drifts of snow as winds gust up to 70mph, strong enough to bring down trees and powerlines.

    The storm will then affect the Maritimes in Canada on Monday night and into Tuesday.Another round of snow will move across the northeast of the US on Wednesday as an 'Alberta clipper' area of low pressure races through.

    Workers in high-vis jackets clearing snow from the street in New York CityReuters

  4. How is the winter weather impacting you?

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    Are you impacted by the winter weather in the north-east US today?

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  5. Watch: Icy scenes across the north-east

    People up and down the north-east of the US will be waking up to snow this morning as an intense winter storm continues to hit, with tens of millions under blizzard and winter storm warnings.

    While snow on the beach in Atlantic City and snow blanketed roads in New York make a pretty picture, it's already causing widespread disruption with power cuts and flight cancellations.

    Winter storm covers parts north-east US in snow

  6. Flights from UK and Ireland cancelled due to US storm

    It's not just flights in the US that are affected by the storm - lots of flights in the UK heading across the Atlantic have been cancelled or delayed.

    A number of departures from Heathrow to cities including Boston, New York and Philadelphia are cancelled through Monday morning and afternoon.

    Flights from Manchester and Edinburgh to New York airports were also showing as cancelled on Monday morning.

    Some flights between the US and Dublin Airport have also been cancelled today due to "adverse weather", the airport says, advising people to check with their airline for the latest updates.

    File photo of a British Airways plane flying over a road sign directing to Heathrow AirportReuters

  7. Hundreds of schools closed on Monday

    Schools in New York City will be closed on Monday, with no remote learning for pupils, as the city faces its first blizzard warning in nearly a decade.

    New York City's public schools authorities say that 13 school buildings will be open to be used as "warming centres".

    Many schools in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and New Jersey are also closed on Monday, although state-wide closures are not in place.

    Meanwhile in Washington DC, mayor Muriel Bowser says public schools will open "with a two-hour delay".

    Two people walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in the snowReuters

  8. What actually is a blizzard?

    man walking on a snow-covered street next to cars submerged in snowAFP via Getty Images

    A 2016 blizzard, dubbed "Snowzilla", dumped over 27 inches of snow on New York City

    Blizzards are winter storms where heavy snowfall or blowing snow combines with winds over 35mph (56km/h) to create visibility of less than a quarter of a mile (402m) for three hours or more, according to the National Weather Service.

    In the US, blizzards are most common in the Great Plains and Midwest, especially in an area known as "Blizzard Alley", which includes parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, southeastern Wyoming, and eastern Colorado.

    That's because these areas are relatively flat with few trees or obstructions to curb wind and blowing snow.

    The last time New York City faced a blizzard warning was nearly a decade ago in March 2017. In Philadelphia, the last one was issued in January 2016. The last time the entire state of New Jersey was under a blizzard warning was in 1996.

    Sunday's storm comes on the heels of another major snowstorm, which struck the region in January and blanketed New York City with almost a foot of snow. That storm, however, did not have the associated winds to be considered a blizzard.

  9. In pictures: North-east US prepares for powerful winter storm

    People up and down the north-east coast were pictured preparing for the storm on Sunday, with some getting in a final dog walk before conditions worsened and others stocking up on rock salt - and even a sled.

    As of midnight local time (05:00 GMT) on Monday, much of the north-east had already been blanketed in several inches of snow, with 10 inches (25cm) reported in Manorville, New York and Howell, New Jersey, according to the US National Weather Service (NWS).

    We will bring you all the latest images and video throughout Monday.

    A person walks her dog along the Hudson River in the snow on February 22, 2026, in Hoboken, New Jersey.Getty Images

    This woman and her pooch in New Jersey braved the cold for a brisk walk along the Hudson River on Sunday

    A woman carries a bag of rock salt she purchased from a hardware store ahead of a winter storm in Boston, Massachusetts on February 22, 2026.Getty Images

    This woman in Boston, Massachusetts, was seen preparing for the storm by purchasing rock salt...

    A man carries a snow sled at a hardware store ahead of a winter storm in Quincy, Massachusetts on February 22, 2026.Getty Images

    ...while others sought out sleds, including this man in Quincy, Massachusetts

    A snow plough vehicle clears snow as it falls during a winter storm in New York City, 22 February.Reuters

    A snow plough was pictured clearing the road overnight in New York City

  10. Over 5,000 flights cancelled so far today

    More than 5,000 flights within, into or out of the US are cancelled today, according to the tracking website FlightAware.

    As of 08:45 GMT (03:45 ET) 5,326 flights were cancelled for Monday.

    It comes after states of emergency were declared in multiple US states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

    Airports are advising passengers to check with their airline on the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.

  11. 'Avoid all non-essential travel', New Yorkers told

    New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani declares state of emergency during winter storm

    New York City - the most populous in the US - has shut down all streets and bridges to non-essential traffic from 21:00 on Sunday (02:00 GMT) to midday on Monday (17:00 GMT).

    Mayor Zohran Mamdani told a news conference on Sunday that schools will be closed and all streets, highways and bridges would be shut to traffic, apart from for emergencies.

    The travel ban include e-bikes - frequently used for food delivery in the city.

    The city is under a blizzard warning for the first time in nine years, with 18 - 24 inches of snow expected.

    "We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non-essential travel. Please, for your safety, stay home stay inside and stay off the roads," Mamdani said.

    This is the second major winter storm to hit the city this year, after 19 people died during a three-week cold snap that began on 19 January.

  12. Millions of people under blizzard watch as historic winter storm hits US northeast

    view of people standing on an outdoor subway platform as heavy snow fallsAFP via Getty Images

    A major snowstorm — expected to be the worst in nearly a decade — started slamming parts of the East Coast of the US on Sunday. It’s expected to continue into Monday afternoon.

    Around 40 million people are under blizzard warnings, including in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Long Island, while another 19 million are facing winter storm warnings.

    New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut are among the areas under states of emergency, with up to 24 inches of snow expected to fall in parts of the region, according to the National Weather Service.

    As of midnight local time (05:00 GMT) on Monday, much of the north-east had already been blanketed in several inches of snow - with 10 inches reported in parts of New York and New Jersey.

    New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has issued a travel ban, meaning only essential vehicles are allowed on roads and bridges throughout the five boroughs, from 21:00 local time Sunday through 12:00 Monday. All schools in the city will be closed on Monday too.

    Thousands of flights have already been cancelled, and officials are warning that any travel will be dangerous.

    We'll be bringing you all the updates here - stick with us.