If you’re trying to get into New York City on Monday, unless it’s essential, you’re probably better off hunkering down at home.
Traveling into the area by car, plane, bus or train is proving difficult thanks to an intense winter storm that’s expected to dump as much as 28 inches (71 centimeters) of snow in some areas. Central Park already recorded roughly 15 inches of snowfall as of 7 a.m.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency and closed streets, highways and bridges to most traffic after 9 p.m. Sunday until noon Monday. The Long Island Rail Road suspended service at 1 a.m. and Metro-North trains are running on a weekend schedule. Flight cancellations are piling up at the area’s three main airports and the Staten Island Ferry moved to a modified schedule.
“We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all nonessential travel,” Mamdani said in a news conference. “For your safety, stay home, stay inside and stay off the roads.”
The city saw a wintry mix of snow and rain that intensified overnight. That snowfall was accompanied by strong winds and moderate coastal flooding is also possible, according to City Hall.
“These are blizzard conditions. New York City has not faced a storm of this scale in the last decade,” Mamdani said. “We have activated additional high-water rescue teams should flooding grow dire.”
NYC, we’ve declared a local state of emergency ahead of this blizzard.
Here’s what that means for you:
Roads closed at 9pm — streets, highways, and bridges closed to all vehicles (cars, trucks, scooters, e-bikes) through 12pm Monday. Essential and emergency trips only.
No…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 22, 2026
Mamdani declared a snow day for the city’s public schools, a shift from when he announced a remote-learning day during the last winter storm in January. He encouraged kids to “stay cozy” inside until the peak of the weather has passed before sledding or playing in the snow. Columbia University pivoted to remote learning.
Getting around the city without public transit won’t be easy. Streets are closed to most cars, trucks, electronic bikes and scooters, though there are exceptions for emergency vehicles and essential workers. DoorDash, a food delivery app, suspended operations starting 30 minutes before the city’s travel ban went into effect, according to a spokesperson for the company.
“We’re suspending operations early to keep Dashers safe and off the streets before the travel ban takes effect,” the company said in an emailed statement. “We’re closely monitoring conditions and will resume as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Most of the city’s express subway lines — run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority — are running local, making all stops. Several lines are running with delays on Monday morning, according to the system’s website.
“Expect some disruptions,” Governor Kathy Hochul said during a press conference. “The MTA will do its very best to maintain normal service, to the extent possible.” The MTA said the C train was suspended in both directions Sunday evening.
Those who commute from New Jersey aren’t faring any better. New Jersey Transit bus and light rail service was suspended after 6 p.m. on Sunday and trains stopped later that night. Private bus company Boxcar, which has routes from the Jersey suburbs into the city, canceled all routes on Monday.
NJ TRANSIT
@NJTRANSIT
Due to severe weather, NJ TRANSIT Train, Bus, Light Rail and Access Link service is suspended.
Service will remain suspended through the beginning of the service day Monday, until conditions allow for the gradual resumption of service.
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New Jersey also restricted travel during the storm, starting at 9 p.m. Sunday and running through 7 a.m. Monday morning. All nonexempt vehicles are prohibited from driving on state, county, municipal and interstate roads, with the exception of the New Jersey Turnpike.
The restrictions do not apply to several classes of cars including emergency and public safety vehicles, snow-removal crews, public transit personnel and health-care workers, a media release detailed.
Top photo: Workers clear snow from Times Square in New York, on Feb. 23. Photographer: Craig T Fruchtman/Getty Images. Bloomberg.
Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
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