By MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER and RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER
Updated: 12:32 EST, 23 February 2026
NYC and surrounding areas are in the throes of a historic ‘snow hurricane’ blizzard that has left more than 500,000 people without power on the East Coast.
The governors of New York and Massachusetts have deployed their National Guard as a massive winter storm slammed the area.
Because temperatures were around freezing, conditions allowed snowflakes to partially melt and pack together, creating wet, dense ‘heart attack’ snow. The ‘heart attack snow’ could be twice as heavy and more difficult to shovel.
The Nor’easter, which is expected to bring blizzard conditions and coastal flooding across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast into Monday, has already left more than 100,000 people without power.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy have even deployed their state’s National Guard to be ready to respond to storm damage as they urged residents to stay off the streets.
‘Every car that gets stranded, runs down, slips, crashes – you are creating a burden for our first responders who may need to be deployed elsewhere,’ Healy said on Sunday.
Follow along for the latest updates.
Powerful winter storm turns into ‘snow hurricane’ The major winter storm battering the East Coast has undergone rapid bomb cyclone development, strengthening it to the equivalent of a Category 2 hurricane.
‘The Nor’easter has gone through incredible bombogenesis [bomb cyclone development], which has dropped nearly 40 mb over the past 24 hours and is currently at 972 mb at the center, where you can see an eye has developed,’ the National Weather Service said.
‘This is the kind of Nor’easter you read about in textbooks.’
Satellite imagery from NWS this morning showed the storm taking on a classic ‘comma-head’ shape as it rapidly intensifies.
Very heavy snowfall rates upwards of 2-3″ per hour and gusty winds of 40-70 mph are forecasted to batter the Northeast today, while also spreading into New England as the storm begins to accelerate.
By Tuesday morning, some coastal areas could see snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet.
Snow shoveling safety tips The New York City Office of Emergency Management has issued several safety tips for snow shoveling.
The department advises against shoveling if you have known or suspected heart disease, a prior heart attack or stroke, or significant cardiac risk factors. Push snow instead of lifting whenever possible. Work at a steady pace, take frequent rest breaks every 10 to 15 minutes, and stay hydrated Snow blower safety matters. Turn the machine off completely before clearing clogs, and never use your hands to remove packed snow. Call 911 immediately for chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm, neck, back, or jaw, severe shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, or cold sweat. Do not push through symptoms or drive yourself. Rhode Island under travel ban ‘until further notice’ Rhode Island State Police issued a travel ban due to blizzard conditions that is in effect until further notice.
‘A statewide travel ban remains in effect due to blizzard conditions,’ state police wrote on X.
‘All travel is prohibited until further notice, and drivers who violate the ban will be cited. In an emergency, call 911.’
Hoboken, New Jersey under travel ban until 4pm Hoboken, New Jersey, extended its travel ban until 4pm today after the city accumulated 14 inches if snow.
Thundersnow strikes in NYC Footage shared on social media showed a thundersnow occurrence in New York City near the One World Trade Center on Monday morning.
Thundersnow is a rare winter phenomenon where lightning and thunder occur during a snowfall.
PICTURED: Washington, DC dusted with snow The powerful winter storm appeared to spare the nation’s capital, leaving only a dusting of snow overnight.
Snow expected to melt quickly, meteorologist says Snow from the blizzard is expect to melt ‘relatively quickly’ compared to the storm that hit New York City in January, Bob Oravec, a meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center, told The New York Times.
Temperatures are forecasted to be around or above freezing in the coming days, meaning the wet, heavy snow should melt faster than typical powder.
However, Oravec noted that wet snow is harder to shovel because of its weight, and that same heaviness increases the risk of downed trees onto power lines.
Homeless people stranded at Newark Penn Station in New Jersey The waiting room benches at Newark Penn Station in New Jersey are filled with people stuck because of the blizzard, according to The New York Times.
Most of them are homeless and transit police are letting them stay inside because the shelters are full
‘There are shelters around, but they’re all full up,’ one officer told the newspaper. ‘It’s real bad out there.’
NYC urges residents to keep catch basins clear The New York City Department of Environmental Protection issued a reminder to residents that they should make sure catch basins and fire hydrants are clear when they shovel snow.
‘As #NYC digs itself out of all of this snow, check in to make sure your local catch basins are clear of debris, and remember not to bury catch basins and hydrants if you’re on shoveling duty, so these vital pieces of infrastructure can continue to do their job,’ the department wrote on X.
Satellite shows storm lurking over the East Coast National Weather Service satellite shows the massive winter storm looming over the East Coast today.
WATCH: Heavy snowfall slams East Coast How to dig out your car from the blizzard The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided a few tips on how to dig out your car from a snowstorm.