Blizzard conditions and high winds forecast for NYC, East coast : NPR
People cross the street in Times Square during a snowstorm on January 25, 2026 in New York.
Andrés Kudacki/Getty Images
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Andrés Kudacki/Getty Images
A powerful winter storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions and power outages along the Atlantic coast Sunday, with some areas expected to receive more than a foot of snow.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued blizzard warnings for millions of residents in New Jersey, Delaware, Long Island, New York City and southern Connecticut from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.
“Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel hazardous and potentially life-threatening,” the blizzard warning states. “Strong winds and the weight of snow on tree branches can bring down power lines and cause sporadic power outages.”
Up to 17 inches of snow is expected in New York City and, in a worst-case scenario, there could be nearly two feet of accumulation, according to a social media post from NYC Emergency Management. The city’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, advised residents on Saturday morning to “stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
“If you can stay home, stay home,” Mamdani wrote on social media. He added that residents should check the city for updates and “please check what’s happening with your neighbors.”
Parts of the Hudson Valley, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are also under winter storm warnings. On Saturday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency effective midday Sunday. Parts of Virginia, Washington DC and Maryland are also expected to receive snow through Monday morning.
Throughout the storm, snow is expected to be heavy and wet, and could fall as much as 2 inches per hour for several hours, according to the NWS. The heaviest snowfall is expected overnight from Sunday to Monday. High winds with gusts ranging from 40 to 70 mph are also expected, increasing the risk of power outages and coastal flooding.
Widespread flight cancellations and delays could occur at airports in affected areas, New York Emergency Management said.
Conditions are expected to ease late Monday morning through Monday afternoon. In New York, the Monday morning commute will be “extremely dangerous,” according to the agency.
His agency also said schools, medical offices and workplaces could close due to the storm’s impacts: “Peak snowfall and maximum winds will coincide, creating slippery conditions, limited mobility and near-zero visibility.”
The NWS advises those in the storm’s path to stock up on three days’ worth of nonperishable food, water, medications and other essentials. People should also charge their phones and make sure they have warm clothes, blankets and a first aid kit.
