Blizzard of 2026 to Bury New Jersey, New York City, Long Island and Coastal New England Under 24–30+ Inches as 960mb Nor’easter Explodes Offshore
MID-ATLANTIC & NORTHEAST — A rapidly intensifying coastal storm is set to unleash a historic and high-impact blizzard from eastern Pennsylvania through New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and into coastal Southern New England Sunday night into Monday.
Forecasters say two pieces of upper-level energy have successfully phased off the Virginia coast, allowing the system to rapidly strengthen as it tracks northeast and tucks just off the New Jersey shoreline. The storm is expected to deepen into a powerful 960–970mb nor’easter, bringing extreme snowfall rates, damaging winds, coastal flooding, and blizzard conditions across a large portion of the I-95 corridor.
Where the Heaviest Snow Is Expected
The most significant snowfall totals are projected across:
- Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Central and eastern New Jersey
- The New York City metro area
- Long Island
- Coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island
- Eastern Massachusetts including Boston
Forecast maps indicate widespread 18–24 inches in the hardest-hit corridor, with localized areas of 24–30 inches or more possible, especially where persistent heavy snow bands stall.
Providence and parts of coastal Southern New England may see totals exceeding two feet, with localized maxima approaching 30 inches if banding sets up as expected.
Deformation Band Could Lock In Extreme Totals
Meteorologists are closely watching for a powerful deformation band — a pivoting corridor of intense snowfall — expected to develop overnight Sunday into Monday.
This band is forecast to:
- Form over extreme southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey
- Pivot across New York City
- Extend into Long Island and coastal Southern New England
- Stall for 6–8 hours before gradually shifting east
If this scenario unfolds, snowfall rates could reach 2–4 inches per hour, with thundersnow possible in the most intense zones.
That setup would allow accumulations to quickly exceed 18–24 inches in the core band.
Philadelphia to Boston: Prime Frontogenesis Zone
The strongest atmospheric lift is expected between Philadelphia and Boston, driven by intense frontogenesis around the 700mb level.
Snow will likely begin in some areas as rain but quickly transition as temperatures crash and heavy precipitation rates take over.
Forecasters note that snow ratios will be on the lower side, meaning the snow will be wet and dense — often described as “concrete-like” — increasing the risk of:
- Tree damage
- Power outages
- Difficult snow removal
Sharp Cutoff in Central Pennsylvania
While eastern Pennsylvania could see extreme totals, a sharp snowfall gradient is expected across central Pennsylvania.
Areas in the Susquehanna Valley, including Harrisburg, may see significantly lower totals — potentially 6–8 inches — if subsidence limits snowfall west of the primary band.
Even a slight shift east or west in the storm track could dramatically alter totals across eastern Pennsylvania.
Coastal Impacts and Wind Threat
As the storm deepens offshore, powerful winds are expected along the coast from New Jersey through Massachusetts.
Impacts may include:
- Sustained strong winds Sunday night into Monday
- High surf and beach erosion
- Coastal flooding
- Whiteout conditions during peak snowfall
Blizzard conditions are likely under the heaviest bands, especially along the New Jersey coast, Long Island, and coastal Southern New England.
Timing of the Worst Conditions
The heaviest snowfall is expected:
- From 8 p.m. Sunday
- Through 10 a.m. Monday
During this window, snow will accumulate rapidly on all surfaces, including roads and untreated pavement.
Bottom Line
The Blizzard of 2026 is shaping up to be a historic and crippling event for portions of New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, and coastal Southern New England.
Widespread totals of 18–24 inches are expected, with localized areas exceeding 24–30 inches where deformation bands stall. Combined with 960–970mb low pressure strength, powerful winds, and coastal flooding, this storm will be impactful across the entire region.
Residents are urged to finalize preparations immediately and monitor local forecasts closely as conditions rapidly deteriorate Sunday night into Monday.
WaldronNews.com will continue to track this major winter storm as it unfolds.