Photo: Ryan Murphy / Getty Images News / Getty Images
The worst of the storm is finally beginning to loosen its grip on the Tri-State area, but the region is far from finished with winter. While the blizzard is pushing offshore, forecasters warn that additional rounds of snow could arrive later this week, keeping recovery efforts complicated and extending the storm’s overall impact.
Blizzard conditions are gradually easing in some areas. Much of Central and South Jersey has been dropped from the Blizzard Warning, though it remains in effect for New York City and other hard-hit parts of the region. Even as the snow tapers off, gusty winds between 30 and 40 mph are still whipping across the area, continuing to blow and drift the deep snow that has already fallen.
Snowfall totals from the storm remain extraordinary. Many communities across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have recorded between 15 and 25 inches, with several areas topping the two-foot mark. Long Island has seen some of the most dramatic totals, including nearly 30 inches in parts of Babylon and Islip. Northern New Jersey towns such as Carlstadt, Englewood, and Ridgefield have also pushed well past two feet. In New York City, Staten Island has surpassed 24 inches, while LaGuardia has reported more than 22 inches and Central Park has approached the 20-inch mark.
Despite the improving weather, a state of emergency remains in effect across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut as officials shift into recovery mode. New York City schools and government offices are expected to reopen, and alternate side parking has been suspended through the weekend to aid snow removal. A hazardous travel advisory remains in place through midnight, and officials continue to urge caution, warning that icy roads and lingering snow drifts will remain dangerous.
Transportation systems are slowly beginning to restart, but disruptions are still widespread. Portions of NJ Transit light rail service have resumed, with more lines expected to come back online in phases, though rail and bus service remain largely suspended. Metro-North is operating on reduced schedules, and Long Island Rail Road service remains shut down for now. Regional bus systems are also paused, leaving many commuters relying on limited options as agencies work to restore normal operations.
Air travel remains heavily affected as well. Thousands of cancellations have piled up across the region’s major airports, and airlines are only beginning to outline plans to resume normal operations. Even as flights slowly return, delays are expected to ripple across the system for days. Meanwhile, nearly 120,000 customers across the region remain without power, with restoration efforts ongoing as crews work through snow-covered neighborhoods and downed lines.
The cultural and economic impact is also being felt. Broadway remains dark for another night, and travel restrictions continue in some areas even as citywide bans are lifted. Officials continue to emphasize caution, noting that while the snow is ending, the hazards it created are not disappearing overnight.
Looking ahead, forecasters say the storm’s exit does not signal a clean break from winter. Snow will fully taper off tonight, but gusty winds will continue to cause drifting and bitter cold conditions. Tuesday will bring sunshine but little relief, as strong winds could create “ground blizzard” conditions, blowing loose snow back across cleared roads. Another quick-moving system is expected late Tuesday into early Wednesday, followed by a messy mix of snow and rain later in the week before temperatures finally begin to moderate.
For now, the region is entering a critical transition period, moving from survival to cleanup. The snow may be ending, but the recovery is just beginning, and with more winter weather looming on the horizon, the Tri-State area is not out of the woods yet.
The region has seen widespread totals of 15 to 25 inches, with extreme totals exceeding 2 feet in parts of Suffolk, Bergen, and Richmond counties:
Staten Island = 24.1”
Brooklyn = 20.5”
Washington Heights = 18.9”
Central Park = 15.1”
Bronx = 17.9”
Jackson Heights = 17.0”
Laguardia = 15.1”
JFK = 15.0”
Moonachie, NJ = 24.3”
Orange, NJ = 24.0”
Ridgefield, NJ = 23.2”
Valhalla = 19.9”
Madison, CT = 19.9”
Fairfield, CT = 18.0”
The “Two Foot+ Snow Club”:
Speonk, NY = 27.5"
Patchogue, NY = 27.2"
Central Islip, NY = 27"
East Islip, NY = 26.5"
Nesconset, NY = 25.6"
Moonachie, NJ = 24.3"
Freehold, NJ = 24.2"
Staten Island, NY = 24.1"
Orange, NJ = 24"
TOP TOTALS BY REGION:
New York City – 24.1” in Staten Island; 20.5” in Brooklyn; 17.9” in the Bronx; 18.9” in Manhattan; 15.1” in Central Park
Suffolk County – 23.5” in Quogue; 22.5” at Islip Airport; 22.0” in Commack/Orient
Nassau County – 20.8” in East Meadow; 17.1” in North Wantagh
Bergen County – 24.3” in Moonachie; 23.2” in Ridgefield; 17.8” in Leonia
Union County – 18.6” in Cranford/Garwood; 18.3” at Newark Airport
DAILY SNOWFALL RECORDS BROKEN FOR FEBRUARY 23:
Newark NJ … Record was 4.1” in 1987 … So far today 18.3”
Bridgeport, CT … Record was 2.6” in 1987 … So far today 16.0”
Central Park, NY … Record was 4.8” in 1972; So far today 15.1”
Islip, NY … Record was 6.7” in 1987; So far today 22.5”