“Blizzard Of ’26” Shatters Records: 3 Feet Of Snow Buries Rhode Island, NYC Digs Out

PROVIDENCE / NEW YORK — Millions of residents from Maryland to Maine are waking up to a transformed landscape. While the worst of the snowfall has passed, the scale of the “Blizzard of ’26” is only now becoming clear, with Rhode Island recording its highest single-storm snowfall in history.

Rhode Island: A New Historical Benchmark

Rhode Island bore the brunt of the storm’s “monster” totals, effectively shutting down the entire state.

• Historic Totals: Warwick reported a staggering 37.9 inches at T.F. Green International Airport, officially surpassing the legendary Blizzard of 1978 (28.6 inches).
• Providence Record: The capital city saw 33.5 inches, its highest all-time recorded total.
• Ongoing Restrictions: Governor Dan McKee has extended the state of emergency through 7:00 AM Tuesday. While the travel ban for passenger vehicles is expiring, state offices remain closed as crews work to clear secondary roads.

New York City: The Mamdani Administration Response

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has mobilized a “whole of government” response to manage the second major storm in less than a month.

• Snow Totals: Staten Island (24.1 inches) and Brooklyn (22.5 inches) saw the city’s highest accumulations, while Central Park recorded over 19 inches, making it one of the top ten storms in NYC history.
• Paid Volunteer Effort: To combat three-foot snow drifts and blocked bus stops, the city has hired 1,400 emergency snow shovelers at $45 per hour.
• Travel Status: The citywide travel ban was lifted late Monday, but a Hazardous Travel Advisory remains. NYC schools are closed today, and non-essential travel is strongly discouraged.

Snow Totals: February 23–24, 2026