Major Winter Storm Impacts Eastern U.S., Bringing Record Snowfall and Disruptions

A significant winter storm affected approximately 180 million people across the Eastern United States, including the Philadelphia region, bringing widespread snow, sleet, freezing rain, and high winds. The storm resulted in various disruptions, including power outages, dangerous travel conditions, and multiple fatalities. Cleanup operations commenced as bitterly cold temperatures followed the precipitation event.

Introduction to the Storm

The winter storm impacted over half of the U.S. population, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker declared a Disaster Emergency in anticipation of substantial snowfall and high winds. A Blizzard Warning was issued for parts of the region, signaling potential heavy snow and wind gusts that could impede travel and cause power outages.

Timeline and Precipitation

Light precipitation began on Sunday morning, initially as light snow showers northwest of Philadelphia, with a mix of rain and snow around Philadelphia, and rain showers further south and east. Ground and air temperatures in the mid-30s initially caused some snowfall to melt. As temperatures dropped Sunday evening, all precipitation transitioned to snow across affected areas.

The heaviest snow was anticipated overnight Sunday into Monday morning. Snowfall largely diminished from west to east by Monday morning as the coastal storm strengthened and moved away, though strong winds were expected to persist. Snow transitioned to sleet across Delmarva, South Jersey, and the I-95 corridor on Sunday afternoon for some areas.

Snowfall and Ice Accumulations

The storm delivered significant snowfall, with varying totals reported across the region. Some areas experienced record daily snowfall.

• Pennsylvania:
  • Nazareth (Northampton County): 13.2 inches (6 p.m.)
  • New Tripoli (Lehigh County): 12.5 inches (6 p.m.)
  • Skippack Twp. (Montgomery County): 12.2 inches
  • Gardenville (Bucks County): 12 inches
  • Huffs Church (Berks County): 11.5 inches (6:45 p.m.)
  • Allentown (Lehigh County): 11.5 inches (7 p.m.)
  • Pottstown (Montgomery County): 11 inches (5:30 p.m.)
  • East Coventry Twp. (Chester County): 10.5 inches
  • Norristown (Montgomery County): 10.1 inches (6:30 p.m.)
  • Philadelphia: Philadelphia International Airport reported 9.3 inches, with Center City reporting 9 inches. Other reports for Philadelphia included 9.1 inches (7 p.m.) and a snow depth of 14 inches.
• New Jersey:
  • Mantua (Gloucester County): 10.5 inches
  • Bellmawr (Camden County): 10.2 inches
  • Mount Holly (Burlington County): 9.4 inches
  • Toms River (Ocean County): 9 inches (6:30 p.m.)
  • Forked River (Ocean County): 9 inches (4:44 p.m.)
  • Malaga (Gloucester County): 8.7 inches (7 p.m.)
  • Trenton Mercer Airport (Mercer County): 8.6 inches (7 p.m.)
  • Atlantic City International Airport: 6.2 inches (7 p.m.)
• Delaware:
  • Bear (New Castle County): 10 inches
  • Hockessin (New Castle County): 6.8 inches (12:30 p.m.)
  • Dover Air Force Base (Kent County): 6.5 inches (11:55 a.m.)
  • Wilmington (New Castle County): 6.5 inches (11:20 a.m.)

Ice accumulations of 0.1 to 0.25 inches were possible across the I-95 corridor, South Jersey, and central and northern Delaware, with ice accumulations potentially reaching approximately three-tenths of an inch.

Impacts and Consequences

Travel was deemed dangerous or impossible in many areas. Wind gusts, reaching 20-30 mph in some areas and up to 50 mph along the coast, posed a risk of downed trees and power outages. Approximately 830,000 customers experienced power outages nationwide, with about 150 outages reported in Philadelphia by Monday afternoon. Parks and Recreation crews responded to over 100 downed trees due to wind gusts up to 45 mph.

Officials in Lehigh County reported three deaths related to snow shoveling and removal activities. Nationwide, at least 25 weather-related fatalities were confirmed.

Coastal flooding was forecast for the Atlantic coast, with widespread minor tidal flooding predicted for the Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay. Beach erosion was also considered likely. Possible blizzard conditions, including thundersnow, were anticipated in southeastern New Jersey and southern Delaware due to atmospheric lift.

City and Regional Response

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker's Disaster Emergency declaration allowed the city to mobilize resources and implement emergency management measures. Over 1,000 City employees and more than 800 trucks and pieces of equipment were deployed around the clock for road clearing and public safety. This included triaxle snowplows, dump trucks, sanitation compactors with plows, and smaller machinery for narrow streets. The city utilized its PHLPlow interactive map to track plowing activity, reporting 71 percent of city roadways treated at least once by Monday afternoon.

• All City of Philadelphia administrative office buildings, Free Library branches, recreation centers, and Courts were closed to the public on Monday, February 23, 2026. City offices and courts were scheduled to reopen the following day.
• The School District of Philadelphia transitioned to virtual instruction for Monday, February 23.
• All City Health Centers were closed on Monday, February 23, 2026.
• Philadelphia International Airport experienced adjusted flight schedules; flights resumed at 2:20 p.m. Monday.
• Trash and recycling collections were suspended for Monday, February 23, and Tuesday, February 24, with a two-day delay implemented for the week. No collections occurred in rear driveways, requiring residents to set materials out in front of homes.
• Sanitation Convenience Centers remained open.
• Visits to Prisons Department correctional sites were suspended.

The Office of Homeless Services declared a Code Blue, making extra shelter beds available. Warming Centers opened on Sunday, February 22, 2026, including the Hub of Hope, Kensington Wellness Support Center, and Prevention Point. More than 250 stays occurred across five city warming centers overnight, with a sixth warming center later added. The Homeless Street Outreach Hotline remained active for those needing assistance.

City officials advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel, move vehicles off Snow Emergency Routes, maintain safe driving distances, and be aware of potential power outages. Residents were also instructed to clear a path at least 36 inches wide on sidewalks within six hours of the storm ending, keep fire hydrants and neighborhood sewer drains clear, and assist vulnerable neighbors. Pet owners were reminded of the City ordinance regarding dogs outside in extreme cold without proper shelter.

Post-Storm Conditions

A prolonged period of "well below normal" temperatures was anticipated, with wind chills dropping to single digits or below zero each night through the following weekend. The NWS indicated temperatures would not rise above freezing until at least the weekend. Dangerously cold wind chills, potentially between -15° and 0°, were anticipated, increasing the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Daytime temperatures were expected to remain in the 10s and 20s. A Cold Weather Advisory was in effect for several counties.

Historical Context and Records

The storm delivered record snowfall to Philadelphia, marking the largest single snowfall event since the January 2016 blizzard, according to the NWS.

• Trenton: 7.9 inches on Sunday, breaking the Feb. 22 record from 2001.
• Wilmington: 5.4 inches on Sunday, breaking the Feb. 22 record from 2001.
• Philadelphia: Over 7 inches on Monday morning, breaking the Feb. 23 record from 1987.
• Atlantic City: Over 7 inches on Monday morning, breaking the Feb. 23 record from 1987.

The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, recorded 20 inches of snow by late Monday morning. While significant, meteorologists stated this storm was not anticipated to break long-term single-storm snowfall records for the Philadelphia region, nor were current winter season totals expected to approach historical records from winters like 1996 and 2010. The region is projected to experience above-normal snowfall for the entire winter season.