New Jersey was hit by a historic blizzard on February 22-23, 2026 that buried much of the state under heavy snow.
Snow fell at rates of 2-3 inches per hour, rapidly closing roads and complicating cleanup efforts. Blizzard warnings remained in effect into the evening.
While comparisons to historical storms are still being tallied, the 2026 blizzard now stands among the most significant in New Jersey’s recorded history.
In Bergen County, Lyndhurst reported 30.7 inches of snow, the highest total ever measured in the county and breaking longstanding county records. Carlstadt recorded 30.2 inches, and Leonia saw 29.7 inches—all marks that compete with the biggest snowstorms in NJ history
The official state record for the most snow in a single storm over 24 hours still belongs to the Blizzard of December 1947. Other major storms—including the January 1996 Blizzard, which buried parts of the state under nearly 28 inches—remain the benchmarks for comparison, according to Patch.
Power Outages and Damage
Strong winds, with gusts up to 60 mph, knocked out power to more than 120,000 homes and businesses across the state. As of Tuesday, close to 20,000 were still without power. Heavy, wet snow combined with high winds led to downed trees and power lines, making restoration especially difficult.
Travel and Schools Halted
NJ Transit services were suspended, and hundreds of school districts closed for the day on Monday. Officials urged residents to stay home and avoid travel as dangerous conditions persisted long after snowfall halted.
Ongoing Cleanup and Emergency Status
New Jersey remained under a state of emergency as crews worked to clear highways and local streets.
Due to the sheer volume of snow, cleanup efforts could take several days in parts of the state. As of Tuesday, most major highways and roads are clear, but the relief may be short-lived.
Forecasters are monitoring additional systems that could bring more snow later this week. It’s certainly one of New Jersey’s snowiest winters in recent memory.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.