Summary

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

Live Reporting

Edited by Brandon Livesay in New York, and Sean Seddon and Alex Smith in London, with BBC Weather presenter Chris Fawkes

  1. It's easy to get lost in icy Brooklyn

    Brandon Livesay
    Reporting from New York

    A frozen stop sign on a Brooklyn street, with a car covered in snow.Brandon Livesay / BBC

    The visibility outside is about two blocks, maybe around 150m.

    The powerful wind gusts mean there's snow plastered on everything.

    While I was walking outside, a man with a shovel asked me which way a street was.

    He'd been paid to shovel the entrance to a building but said there was so much snow that he couldn't read the street signs.

    He was only two streets away.

    A snowy street with a man with an orange beanie walking down itBrandon Livesay / BBC

  2. 'The weather is getting worse', says Brit stuck in Boston

    Andrée Massiah
    BBC News

    Jason Hunter-Jones, who lives in Durham, works for British Airways and arrived in Boston on Sunday.

    He was due to fly back to the UK today, but flights have been cancelled because of the weather conditions.

    “I was only going to be here for 24 hours, but all four flights have been cancelled." he tells the BBC.

    He adds that when he went to sleep, around 22:00 last night, there was no snow. But assumes it must have fallen in the early hours.

    "I went outside earlier and saw a few cars getting stuck in the snow," he says. "Looking outside the weather is getting worse - it’s like a blizzard.”

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  3. Here's what you need to know about Monday's snow

    People stand on a road, which has been gritted, shovelling snow away from the parked cars. There is a very thick layer of snow on top of the cars, meaning we cannot see anything but the tips of their wheels.Getty Images

    If you're just joining us, it's still mid-morning in the US where 22 inches (55.9cm) of snow has fallen overnight in parts of the east coast.

    A major nor'easter storm has brought blizzards and strong winds, including in New York City, which is under its first blizzard warning in nine years.

    Here's what else you need to know.

    • What is a nor'easter? These storms develop off the east coast of the US, made from strong areas of low pressure. They're really common storms but don't necessarily bring snow - or this much of it
    • Who's affected? Around 40 million people are under blizzard warnings in the US - including New York City, Boston and Philadelphia - and a further 19 million face winter storm warnings
    • That's led New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Delaware and Rhode Island to declare states of emergency, resulting in travel bans across several cities and states
    • What about power? Hundreds of thousands are without power - including 240,000 households in Massachusetts and 135,000 in New Jersey - as electricity providers face "an absolute mess"
    • And schools? All New York City schools are closed on Monday, with hundreds more across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and New Jersey
    • More travel disruption:Thousands of flights within, to or out of the US are cancelled today, including from UK airports, while "near impossible" travel conditions are expected in New York

    Our reporter Brandon Livesay is out in New York, where his neighbours are trying to fight the blizzards by shovelling snow away.

  4. For Matt, New York looks like a 'fairytale' - he just hopes he can fly home

    James Kelly
    UGC Hub

    Vehicles parked along a snow-covered street during a winter storm in the Brooklyn borough of New YorkBloomberg via Getty Images

    Matt Bowring is in New York with his family as part of a week's holiday in the US to mark his 50th birthday.

    Matt, from Barry in Wales, says the city looks like "a fairytale" but he is worried how they will get home. They are due to fly back to the UK tomorrow.

    "We've woken up this morning to a huge dumping of snow," he says. "The children are excited; we as parents are however a little concerned.

    "We're due to fly back to the UK tomorrow... We weren't expecting a snow bomb."

    As we have reported, thousands of flights have been cancelled due to the severe weather.

    "We have no idea when we'll be flying back as there will be a backlog of flights for Virgin and BA [British Airways] to make up," Matt says. "New York at 7am this morning does look like a fairytale."

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  5. Size of snowflakes can vary depending on temperature - with implications

    Chris Fawkes
    BBC Weather presenter

    A couple walk through a snow covered row of treesGetty Images

    Bigger snowflakes increase the chance of tree branches snapping

    Temperatures don't have to be below freezing for snow to fall, we can actually get snow with temperatures a few degrees above freezing.

    When this happens, some of the outer edges of individual snowflakes begin to melt and this can help snowflakes stick to one another resulting in huge flakes measuring several centimetres across.

    Large flakes like this can easily stick to tree branches and power lines which can then collapse under the burden of the extra weight. This becomes even more likely if it's also very windy.

    Much of the snow currently falling inland in the north-east of the US should consist of relatively small flakes because temperatures are well below freezing, typically between -7C and -3C (19F to 27F).

    Around the east coast temperatures are much closer to freezing leading to much bigger, chunkier snowflakes with a greater chance of snapping tree branches and power lines.

  6. In pictures: Skis and souvenir stands in snow-covered New York

    Here are some of the latest pictures coming in to us from New York City, where some are braving the outside despite the continuing blizzard.

    Parts of the city woke up to between eight and 15 inches of snow this morning.

    A man skis past shopfronts in Brooklyn.Getty Images

    A man skis through the streets of Brooklyn

    A mother and son walk along covered in snow, beside a yellow New York city taxi and aEPA/Shutterstock

    A woman and young boy brave the conditions after parts of the city woke up to between eight and 15 inches of snow

    A woman walks by a souvenir store in a blizzard in New YorkReuters

    This miniature Statue of Liberty withstands the icy conditions

  7. Storm brings power outages across north-east US

    Power outages are affecting thousands of households and businesses across north-east US. Below are the latest outage figures in key states, according to blackout tracker PowerOutage.us:

    • Massachusetts - 224,617
    • New Jersey - 137,608
    • New York - 17,440
    • Delaware - 75,210
    • Maryland - 29,553
    • Rhode Island - 42,204

    Ahead of the storm, Massachusetts governor Maura Healey warned residents to "prepare for the possibility of power outages by charging your devices and making sure you have a flashlight and batteries on hand".

  8. Snow storm brings major travel disruption across north-east US

    A bus is barely visible through thick snowReuters

    An MTA bus in New York City

    As a major winter storm hits parts of the north-east, local authorities and transport providers are urging people to avoid making journeys where possible. Here's a breakdown of the disruption:

    • NJ Transit, which operates in New Jersey, parts of New York state and Pennsylvania, says all train, bus, light rail and access link services are suspended until further notice
    • In New York City, some express subway trains are running on the local tracks, but the Metropolitan Transport Authority is warning of severe delays and advising customers to avoid travel. There are longer waits for local buses and articulated buses aren't running
    • In Connecticut, CT Transit has suspended all its bus services for the day, and says it hopes to restart them on Tuesday
    • Subway, bus and Commuter Rail services are operating on a reduced schedule in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says. Ferry services are cancelled
    • The transport provider in Delaware, DART First State, has suspended all services statewide across Monday
    • And in Pennsylvania, all bus services are suspended until further notices, according to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Regional rail has also been temporarily suspended. The Philadelphia metro is partially running, but with possible delays and cancellations
    • Over 5,400 flights to, from or within the US have been cancelled today, according to tracking website FlightAware

  9. Travel ban brings unusual calm to New York City streets

    Pratiksha Ghildial
    Reporting from New York City

    Streets in New York appear almost empty while a travel ban is in place

    New Yorkers have woken up to between 8 and 15 inches of snow and blizzard conditions are still continuing.

    It's unusually quiet on the streets as a travel ban stays in effect.

    A car is completely buried in snow

  10. More than 19 inches of snow in New Jersey

    More figures are coming through showing how much snowfall landed overnight in the US.

    "Blizzard conditions and crippling impacts will continue through much of today for the region," says the National Weather Service's prediction centre.

    The NWS shares the level of snowfall in more key cities as of 07:00 EST (12:00 GMT):

    • Atlantic City Airport, New Jersey: 14.5" (37 cm)
    • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 13.7" (35 cm)
    • Wilmington, North Carolina: 8.3" (21 cm)
    • Allentown, Pennsylvania:5.2" (13 cm)
    • Trenton, New Jersey:15.6" (40 cm)
    • Reading, Pennsylvania: 2.8" (7 cm)
    • Mount Holly, New Jersey: 19.2" (49 cm)

  11. Snow shovellers fighting a losing battle

    Brandon Livesay
    Reporting from New York

    A person holding a shovel in a blizzard surrounded by snow-covered carsBrandon Livesay / BBC

    I've been watching a neighbour trying to clear a path to their front door all morning. So far the blizzard is winning.

    Another neighbour tells me they've spent an hour trying to shovel out their car.

    The sleet shifted to heavy snow here in New York about 18:00 on Sunday, and it hasn't let up since.

    It's still dumping down, and sometimes comes at you sideways with the blustery winds.

  12. Flights cancelled due to blizzard at LaGuardia Airport

    Snow plows clear snow from the tarmac during a winter storm at LaGuardia AirportReuters

    As we reported earlier, more than 5,000 flights heading in and out of the US have been cancelled today.

    One of the most impacted airports is LaGuardia in New York, where 1,025 flights are cancelled.

    We're now seeing photos come through of LaGuardia, which is covered in snow.

    Snow ploughs on the tarmac at LaGuardia airport. You can hardly see them through the snowy conditions.Reuters

  13. In pictures: New Yorkers make their way through heavy snow

    A silhouetted figure walks their dog up some snow-covered stairs with the pillars of the Bethesda Terrace in view in the foreground and the trees of the park in the background on 23 February 2026Ryan Murphy / Getty Images

    Umbrellas to the wind: a walker makes their way through Central Park's Bethesda Terrace

    A person shovels snow during a winter storm in the Brooklyn borough of New York on 23 February 2026Getty Images

    This New Yorker was pictured making progress with a snow shovel

    An MTA worker clears snow outside a subway station in New York City during a powerful winter storm, 23 February 2026Reuters

    An MTA worker was pictured clearing snow outside a subway station

  14. Weather has worsened over last couple of hours, says Mari in Massachusetts

    James Kelly
    UGC Hub

    Photo of snowy scene from porch, taken by Mari Scheiffele in Cambridge, MassachusettsMari Scheiffele

    Mari Scheiffele is snowed in at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She says the weather has worsened over the last couple of hours.

    "Over the last two hours, the snow and wind has picked up. The heaviness of the snow and strong winds are bringing branches down," she says.

    But she also describes a "high level of preparedness" with school closures "announced since yesterday".

    "This storm comes after a week of school break, so it's an additional day off for the children!" she says.

    Adults may be less pleased. "Some of my colleagues who were away for the school holidays are now stuck. Flights back [were] all cancelled as of yesterday," she says.

    She is expecting a "bumpy week ahead".

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  15. New York state warns of 'near-impossible travel' and 'whiteout conditions'

    Parked cars and trees are covered in snow during a blizzard on February 23, 2026 in the Flatbush neighbourhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York CityGetty Images

    "Near-impossible travel" is expected this morning across New York City and Long Island, according to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

    It also warns on X that "strong winds and intense snow rates will lead to whiteout conditions" across Downstate New York.

    In a separate post, the state's Department of Transportation says: "If you can work remotely today, do it".

    Officials in other states are also advising people to avoid non-essential travel.

    "Stay home and stay off the roads. If you must go out, slow down, stay alert, and #DontCrowdThePlow," the Connecticut Department of Transportation writes on X.

  16. New Jersey extends travel restrictions

    A woman in New Jersey carries her dog through the snow, which is piled up to her ankles and higher in places. In the background are lots of trees covered in snow.Reuters

    New Jersey has extended a travel ban until 12:00 local time (17:00 GMT).

    "Due to the ongoing hazardous storm conditions, we are extending the mandatory travel restriction," says state governor Mikie Sherrill.

    "Please stay inside and stay safe.
Give road crews the space they need to do their jobs."

    On power cuts across the state of New Jersey, Sherrill says in a separate update on X that "additional crews and mutual aid are being sent in", and that the Board of Utilities is working with utility providers to respond to the power cuts.

    Parts of New Jersey saw 18.3" (46 cm) of snowfall overnight and a blizzard warning remains in the state.

  17. How bad could the storm get?

    Map of east coast of the US based on NOAA’s winter storm severity index showing the potential impact between 23 and 26 February 2026. Areas are shaded light to dark red for moderate, major, and extreme impact - with extreme meaning people should expect substantial disruptions to daily life, such as dangerous or impossible driving conditions. The darkest areas cover parts of New York and Boston. Washington, DC sits in a moderate zone - with some hazardous conditions and possible closures.

    This map shows the potential impact of the storm over the next few days, based on the winter storm severity index from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

    The categories range from moderate (people should expect disruption such as hazardous driving conditions and some closures) to extreme (when substantial disruptions are expected, travel is not advised and “life-saving actions may be needed”).

  18. Amount of snow varies enormously from place to place

    Chris Fawkes
    BBC Weather presenter

    A man removes snow to drive his car as snow falls down during a winter storm in West New York, New JerseyReuters

    Thick snow blankets parked cars in west New York early on Monday morning

    When nor'easters hit bringing disruptive snowfall, there are often enormous differences in the amount of snow from one place to the next. Today's nor'easter is no exception.

    Freehold in New Jersey has been buried beneath 22 inches (55cm) of snow, whereas 90 miles (145km) west in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, there has been a more manageable 10cm of snow so far.

    According to the website poweroutage.us, there are currently over 400,000 people without power in blizzard affected states. The snow continues to fall heavily so further, increasingly widespread disruption to power and transport is inevitable.

  19. New Yorkers awake to over 18 inches of snow overnight

    Cars parked along a street are covered in snowReuters

    Snow is still falling this morning in New Jersey

    As we've reported, east coasters in the US are waking up to a morning of heavy snow.

    In its latest update at 07:00 local time (12:00 GMT), some parts of the tri-state area have received more than 15 inches (38 cm) of snow overnight.

    The National Weather Service of New York are reporting the following:

    • Islip, Long Island: 22.5" (57 cm)
    • Newark, New Jersey: 18.3" (46 cm)
    • Upton, New York: 18.3"
    • Central Park, New York City: 15.1" (38.5 cm)
    • LaGuardia Airport, New York City: 15.1"
    • John F Kennedy Airport, New York City: 15.0" (38 cm)

  20. My flight to Washington DC is (currently) running on schedule

    Caitlin Wilson
    Reporting from London

    I’m flying from London to Washington DC today, and was mentally preparing myself for the frustration of major delays to my trip, given the huge snowstorm hitting the US.

    But I’ve just boarded my flight, and as my fellow passengers and I find our seats and load up our carry-on items, the pilot is announcing that we seem to be mostly on schedule and should land in DC on time. The city wasn’t hit as hard by the storm as forecasters feared, he says.

    A rare pleasant surprise while travelling - I’ll take it!

    We might encounter some turbulence as we fly over the US, the pilot says. I’ll keep my seatbelt fastened and hope the weather doesn’t worsen while I’m in the air.