Blizzard warning NYC as snow storm NYC targets Sunday into Monday

New York City and nearby parts of the tri-state are under a blizzard warning ahead of a strengthening coastal winter storm expected to intensify on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with the worst conditions Sunday night into Monday, February 23. The setup points to heavy snow, strong winds, and rapidly falling visibility that could make travel difficult to impossible during the storm’s peak.

Blizzard warning NYC: timing and impacts

The blizzard warning is in effect 6:00 a.m. Sunday to 6:00 p.m. Monday (ET) for NYC and parts of the region, with conditions deteriorating as snowfall rates increase and winds ramp up. Blizzard criteria focuses on blowing snow and visibility, and this event has the ingredients for whiteouts—especially Sunday night into Monday—when winds are expected to be strongest.

Key risks include:

• Visibility dropping to near zero at times in heavier bands and blowing snow

• Downed tree limbs and power lines from gusts and snow load

• Hazardous conditions during the Monday commute windows

Winter storm watch vs winter storm warning

As the track and intensity came into clearer focus, alerts across the metro have included a mix of winter storm watch and winter storm warning designations in surrounding areas. In practice:

• A winter storm watch signals the potential for significant snow and impacts as confidence is still building.

• A winter storm warning signals high confidence that impactful snow is expected.

For anyone checking new york weather or nyc weather, the important takeaway is that the region is shifting from “possible” to “likely” high-impact conditions, with the most severe period concentrated late Sunday through Monday.

Snow storm weather forecast NYC: what to expect

This weather forecast centers on a storm that can begin with lighter precipitation and then strengthen quickly. In NYC, snow and gusty winds are expected to increase through Sunday, with the sharper drop in travel conditions arriving later in the day and especially after dark.

Snowfall rates may ramp up enough to overwhelm plowing during the peak, and strong winds can repeatedly re-cover treated roads. Even if temperatures hover near freezing at times, heavier bursts can accumulate quickly—particularly on colder surfaces and in periods of intense precipitation.

How much snow on Sunday?

For the question many people are asking—how much snow on Sunday—the most likely scenario is lighter accumulation during the daytime hours, followed by rapid intensification Sunday evening and overnight. In other words, Sunday’s totals may look modest early, but conditions can turn quickly as the storm deepens.

If you have to be out Sunday, the safer window is generally earlier in the day. By Sunday night, travel conditions are expected to deteriorate sharply as snow becomes heavier and winds increase.

NYC snow and NJ weather: a quick snapshot

Here’s a simplified view of what “snow this weekend” may look like across the region. Amounts can still vary over short distances depending on the storm track and where the heaviest bands set up.

What happens next, and what to watch

The highest-confidence signals for a more disruptive outcome are (1) stronger wind gusts during peak snowfall and (2) a track that keeps heavy snow bands over the city for several hours. If winds remain elevated while snowfall is heavy, blowing snow can create blizzard-like visibility even after plows pass.

Through Monday, monitor:

• Any extensions or expansions of blizzard/winter storm alerts

• Updates to expected snowfall rates during the peak window

• Local advisories on road closures, transit changes, and power restoration timing

For anyone planning trips, this is the kind of storm where delays can cascade quickly. If conditions trend toward the higher end of the snowfall and wind range, the most difficult period is likely to be late Sunday into Monday, when whiteout conditions become most likely.