{"id":6524,"date":"2026-01-25T02:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T07:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weatheramerica.com\/us\/?p=6524"},"modified":"2026-02-06T06:38:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T11:38:47","slug":"winter-storm-the-major-snow-event-is-about-to-begin-new-york-and-the-u-s-northeast-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weatheramerica.com\/us\/2026\/01\/25\/winter-storm-the-major-snow-event-is-about-to-begin-new-york-and-the-u-s-northeast-at-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter storm, the major snow event is about to begin: New York and the U.S. Northeast at risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

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At 12:00 AM EST on January 25, 2026<\/strong> (that is, during the night between January 24 and 25<\/strong>), the weather conditions in New York City<\/strong> were cloudy and very cold, with temperatures ranging between 14\u00b0F and 16\u00b0F<\/strong> (between -10\u00b0C and -9\u00b0C<\/strong>). Brief periods of light snow were reported near dawn, with initial accumulations of 0.4 to 0.8 inches<\/strong> (between 1 and 2 centimeters<\/strong>). At that time, no heavy precipitation was occurring, but the weather was rapidly deteriorating due to the arrival of a major winter storm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s happening<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A widespread winter storm<\/strong> \u2013 named the \u201cJanuary 2026 U.S. Winter Storm\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 is impacting much of the United States<\/strong>, bringing heavy snow<\/strong>, sleet<\/strong>, and freezing rain<\/strong> from the Southwest all the way to the Northeast Coast<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In the Northeast<\/strong>, including New York City<\/strong> and the coastal corridor, the storm began to make its presence felt during the night between January 24 and 25<\/strong>, but it is expected to intensify throughout Sunday, January 25<\/strong>, bringing heavy snowfall<\/strong> and extremely hazardous travel conditions<\/strong>. Significant snow accumulations<\/strong>, slippery roads<\/strong>, and major traffic disruptions<\/strong> are expected.<\/p>\n

After the storm, an extreme cold wave<\/strong> is forecast to follow, prolonging dangerous conditions for several days. According to meteorologists, this is expected to be the most intense winter storm of the season<\/strong> in the Northeast<\/strong>, characterized by dry, powdery snow<\/strong> due to a high snow-to-liquid ratio<\/strong> of 15:1.<\/p>\n

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Weather forecast<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sunday, January 25:<\/strong> Heavy snow mixed with sleet<\/strong> throughout the day, with forecast accumulations of 4 to 6 inches<\/strong> (10 to 15 centimeters<\/strong>) in New York City<\/strong>, and up to 8 to 12 inches<\/strong> (20 to 30 centimeters<\/strong>) in interior parts of the Northeast<\/strong>. Highs around 23\u00b0F<\/strong> (-5\u00b0C<\/strong>), strong winds, and rapidly deteriorating road conditions. Snowfall will continue into Monday<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Monday, January 26:<\/strong> Continued snow and sleet<\/strong>, with total accumulations between 8 and 18 inches<\/strong> (20 to 45 centimeters<\/strong>) across many areas of the Northeast<\/strong>. After the storm system moves through, a period of intense cold<\/strong> is expected, with temperatures well below freezing and increased risk of black ice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Following days:<\/strong> A trend toward gradual improvement, but persistent cold<\/strong> will remain. Light residual snow and ice advisories<\/strong> may still be in effect.<\/p>\n

In total, over the next two weeks in New York City<\/strong>, five days of snowfall<\/strong> are forecast, with an overall accumulation of around 36 inches<\/strong> (91 centimeters<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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Local alerts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Winter Storm Warning:<\/strong> In effect for New York City<\/strong> and the Tri-State area<\/strong> (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut<\/strong>) from 3:00 AM on January 25<\/strong> through 6:00 PM on January 26<\/strong>. Associated risks: heavy snowfall (8 to 18 inches \/ 20 to 45 centimeters)<\/strong>, sleet<\/strong>, and dangerous travel conditions<\/strong>. A state of emergency<\/strong> has been declared in New York<\/strong> and New Jersey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Winter Weather Advisory:<\/strong> In effect for areas north of New York City<\/strong>, due to freezing fog<\/strong> and ice<\/strong>. Risk of black ice<\/strong> through the morning of January 25<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Snow Alert:<\/strong> Issued by the New York City Department of Sanitation<\/strong>, effective from 1:00 AM on January 25<\/strong>, to begin snow removal operations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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What national weather services are saying<\/strong><\/h3>\n

National Weather Service (NWS\/NOAA):<\/strong> Confirms a high-impact winter storm<\/strong>, with heavy snowfall<\/strong> and potentially catastrophic ice accumulations<\/strong> in some areas. Over 144 million people<\/strong> are currently under weather alerts. For the Northeast<\/strong>, snow totals between 12 and 18 inches<\/strong> (30 to 45 centimeters<\/strong>) are expected, followed by extremely cold air<\/strong>. Strongly advising the public to stay home<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

AccuWeather:<\/strong> Describes the event as the most significant storm in recent years<\/strong>, with travel expected to be shut down<\/strong> from Sunday through Monday<\/strong>. For New York City<\/strong>, 6 to 12 inches<\/strong> (15 to 30 centimeters<\/strong>) of snow are forecast, with sleet and freezing rain<\/strong> lasting up to nine consecutive hours<\/strong>. Frigid temperatures<\/strong> and critical road conditions<\/strong> are expected.<\/p>\n

The Weather Channel and local media:<\/strong> Confirm snow totals between 8 and 12 inches<\/strong> (20 to 30 centimeters<\/strong>) across the Tri-State area<\/strong>, with snow beginning Saturday night<\/strong> and peaking on Sunday<\/strong>. Coastal areas<\/strong> may see lower snow totals<\/strong>, but more freezing rain and sleet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Affected areas in the U.S.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The storm is affecting a very large portion of the country<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n

Northeast (main impact zone):<\/strong> New York<\/strong> (including NYC<\/strong>), New Jersey<\/strong>, Pennsylvania<\/strong>, Connecticut<\/strong>, Massachusetts<\/strong> (including Boston<\/strong>), and parts of New England<\/strong>. The heaviest snow<\/strong> is expected in inland areas<\/strong>, while coastal regions<\/strong> may receive less snow<\/strong> but more sleet and ice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Other impacted regions:<\/strong> The storm extends from the South<\/strong> (Oklahoma<\/strong>, Texas<\/strong>), across the Appalachians<\/strong>, the Midwest<\/strong>, and into New England<\/strong>. Areas including the Southern Plains<\/strong>, the Rockies<\/strong>, and the Gulf Coast<\/strong> are also affected, with tornado activity possible<\/strong> (though not in the Northeast).<\/p>\n

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Sources and Credits<\/strong><\/h3>\n