Summary

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

Live Reporting

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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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".

    A red banner with the words ‘Your Voice’ written in white with a lighter red graphic paintbrush effect behind it

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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”).

  11. 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.

  12. 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, Rhode 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)

  13. 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.

  14. My morning walk with shin-deep snow

    Brandon Livesay
    Reporting from New York

    A car covered in snowBrandon Livesay / BBC

    I’ve been for a walk around my neighbourhood in Brooklyn this morning to see how much snow we got, and it’s a lot.

    It’s shin-deep unless you are walking on the snow-ploughed streets, which a handful of people were doing because there’s a travel ban in place and the only vehicles out there seem to be ploughs and police SUVs.

    I had a quick chat with a dog walker who tells me her pup Bandit is having the time of his life. Her, not so much.

    A dog wagging its tail in the snow with a blue ball in its mouth. Its owner is stood next to it, holding onto the lead and smilingBrandon Livesay / BBC
    A New York street covered in snow. Cars parked on the side are completely covered in a layer of snow. There is a snow plough going through the road, trying to clear itBrandon Livesay / BBC

  15. Schools out and flights grounded: Snow continues to disrupt north-eastern states

    An American flag flies in white blizzard-like conditionsGetty Images

    People are waking up to several inches of snow, as a major snow storm batters the northeastern states of the US.

    • But there's more to come: Some areas of the north-east could see around 2ft (60cm) of snow and wind gusts of up to 70mph before the storm moves towards the Maritimes, along the Atlantic coast in eastern Canada. For the latest forecast where you are, head to BBC Weather
    • States of emergency: New York, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania have all declared states of emergency, with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani among those urging residents to stay at home
    • Quiet on the roads: A travel ban is currently in place in NYC - to last until midday on Monday (17:00 GMT) - meaning only essential vehicles are allowed on roads and bridges throughout the five boroughs
    • Flights up in the air: As of 07:00 ET (12:00 GMT), more than 5,000 flights into, out of, or within the US have been cancelled today - New York airports John F Kennedy International and LaGuardia are among the worst affected
    • Schools are out: Schools are closed across New York City, with 13 school buildings being repurposed as "warming centres" for the duration of the blizzard. Many schools are also closed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and New Jersey. Public schools in Washington remain open, but have opened two hours late
    • And so is power: A live outage tracker is reporting hundreds of thousands without power, including 122,000 in New Jersey, 146,000 in Massachusetts and 71,000 in Delaware

    How is the winter weather impacting you? Get in touch with us on WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803

  16. 'We're facing an absolute mess': Electricity providers battle thousands of outages

    Power outages are affecting hundreds of thousands of people across the north-east US right now, according to the live tracker Power Outage.

    This includes 122,000 customers in New Jersey, 99,000 in Massachusetts and 71,000 in Delaware, as of 07:00 EST (12:00 GMT).

    One New Jersey-based electrics company, Atlantic City Electric, says it is "prepared to respond to any issues".

    Delaware Electric Coop says it's "facing an absolute mess" due to "countless trees, powerlines and utility poles" being struck down by the snow.

    "We'll be calling on our friends from neighbouring mid-Atlantic cooperatives to help us get the lights back - a process we think will take days," it says.

  17. Watch: Timelapse shows Empire State Building engulfed by snow storm

    Video from New York City shows the Empire State Building engulfed by a snow storm during the early hours of Monday.

  18. East-coasters wake up to heavy snow

    It is now 07:00 EST (12:00 GMT) and east coasters are waking up to heavy snow.

    New photos from a transport station in Manhasset, New York, show a snow-blanketed train platform and a vehicle working to clear the road outside.

    More than 5,000 flights have already been cancelled so far today, power outages are widespread across the north east, and New York City has shut down all streets and bridges to non-essential traffic.

    A train platform is covered in snow during a winter storm at the Manhasset transportation station in Manhasset, New YorkReuters
    A skid-steer loader clears snow during a winter storm at the Manhasset transportation station in Manhasset, New YorkReuters

  19. What will happen with the snow through Monday?

    With many parts of the north-eastern US waking up to a blanket of snow on Monday, here is the latest from BBC Weather on what we could see through the rest of the day.

    Huge storm hits north-eastern US

  20. What are nor'easters and how common are they?

    Chris Fawkes
    BBC Weather presenter

    This winter storm is being called a "nor'easter" - BBC Weather presenter Chris Fawkes explains what that means.

    Nor'easters are strong areas of low pressure that deepen off the east coast of the US.

    They're really common and happen every year, and don't necessarily have to bring snow - some of them bring heavy rain, strong winds and coastal flooding.

    They develop due to strong temperature contrasts as cold polar air collides with much warmer maritime air heated by the Gulf Stream.

    These huge contrasts create a very powerful jet stream that can rapidly deepen areas of low pressure into intense storms.

    As the low pressures strengthen out to sea, the winds affecting eastern US states and Atlantic Canada tend to blow from the northeast which is where the nor'easters get their name from.

    A snow plow clearing Brooklyn Bridge on SundayReuters