New Jersey residents are facing treacherous conditions and widespread disruption following a historic blizzard that dumped record-breaking snowfall across the state. The storm, which began Sunday and continued through Monday, brought blizzard conditions, including sustained winds and near-zero visibility, prompting a state of emergency declaration from Governor Mikie Sherrill effective Sunday at 12:00 p.m. according to an official statement. Travel has been severely impacted, with many roads impassable and widespread power outages reported.
The intensity of the snowfall varied across the state, with some areas receiving over 30 inches. The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for several counties, including Atlantic, Cape May, Southeastern Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean, while a winter storm warning covered the remainder of the state. Forecast models predicted crippling snowfall and dangerous conditions, urging residents to stay off the roads and prepare for extended disruptions.
Snowfall Totals Across New Jersey
As of February 23, 2026, snowfall totals reported by the National Weather Service and Bob Ziff of the North Jersey Weather Observers paint a picture of the storm’s widespread impact. Bergen County was particularly hard hit, with Lyndhurst reporting a staggering 30.7 inches of snow. Carlstadt followed closely with 30.2 inches, and Leonia recorded 29.7 inches. Other notable totals include:
- Bergen County: Haworth (27.6″), Englewood (27.5″), Fort Lee (26″)
- Essex County: Newark Airport (27.2″), Orange (26″)
- Hudson County: Hoboken (20.5″), Kearny (19″)
- Union County: Cranford (21″), Westfield (20″)
- Morris County: Chatham (20″), Parsippany (18″)
- Burlington County: Columbus (20.5″), Mount Holly (20.3″)
Further south, Atlantic County saw significant accumulation, with Mays Landing reporting 19 inches and Egg Harbor Township receiving 18 inches. While snowfall totals were lower in Cape May County, Ocean City still recorded 16 inches of snow. Detailed reports present that many areas across the state experienced over a foot of snow.
Travel Ban and State of Emergency
Governor Sherrill’s state of emergency declaration, which encompasses all 21 counties, authorized the deployment of state resources to assist with storm response and recovery efforts. A full travel ban was implemented for all non-exempt vehicles, aiming to keep residents safe and facilitate snow removal operations. The travel ban aimed to minimize accidents and allow crews to clear roadways effectively. The New Jersey State Police actively enforced the ban, and residents were urged to heed all warnings and advisories.
The blizzard conditions, characterized by sustained winds exceeding 35 mph and visibility below a quarter-mile, created extremely hazardous travel conditions. The combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds also led to widespread power outages, impacting thousands of homes and businesses across the state. Utility companies are working to restore power, but officials caution that full restoration may take several days.
As New Jersey begins the process of digging out, officials are urging residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant. The focus now shifts to clearing roadways, restoring power, and assessing the full extent of the storm’s damage. Residents are encouraged to check local forecasts and heed any remaining warnings or advisories. The coming days will be critical as the state recovers from this historic winter storm.
If you are experiencing a power outage, please report it to your utility company. For updated weather information, visit the U.S. National Weather Service websites for New York (http://www.weather.gov/okx/) and Philadelphia/Mount Holly (https://www.weather.gov/phi/). Share your experiences and photos of the storm’s impact in the comments below.
