We have survived the big Blizzard of February 2026, and now we are commencing the arduous task of digging out. Many secondary and tertiary roads are still particularly hazardous due to ice caused by the subfreezing temperatures. Some parts of the tri-state area, such as much of NYC, have not even been totally cleaned up from the last major snowfall and probably won’t be for several days. More on this later.
The total snowfall at Central Park, which is typically cited as the official measuring stick for NYC, was 19.7 inches, although some tristate areas reported considerably higher totals. For example, according to the National Weather Service northeast New Jersey, New York City and Long Island reported over two feet of snow, and Westhampton reported the highest total I have heard – a massive 27 inches.
This storm was powerful, dangerous and deadly. So far, reported deaths exceed 400. Property damage will likely be massive. All that said, the National Weather Service has ranked the Blizzard of 2026 “only” ninth among the biggest snowstorms in NYC history as measured in Central Park. The record is 27.5 inches in January 2016.
It should be noted that a blizzard is different from a snowstorm. The differentiation is not just due to the amount of snow. A blizzard is characterized by sustained winds of 35 mph or more, near-zero visibility and such conditions lasting at least three hours. Snowstorms, while still hazardous, lack the same extreme wind and visibility factors.
As mentioned above the NWS has ranked the Blizzard of 2026 as ninth on the list of the biggest snowstorms in the recorded history of the tristate area (dating back to 1869). Below please find the top ten. Many of you may remember the frustration of dealing with some of them – digging out your car, trying to get to work and then home at the end of the day, and shoveling your driveway and walkways, all without the benefit of a snowblower.
| Amount (in inches) | Date(s) | |
| 1. | 27.5 | Jan. 22-24, 2016 |
| 2. | 26.9 | Feb.11-12, 2006 |
| 3 | 26.4 | Dec.26-27, 1947 |
| 4 | 21.0 | March 12-14, 1888 |
| 5 | 20.9 | Feb. 25-26, 2010 |
| 6 | 20.2 | Jan. 7-8, 1996 |
| 7 | 20.0 | Dec. 26-27, 2010 |
| 8 | 19.8 | Feb. 16-17, 2003 |
| 9 | 19.7 | Feb. 22-23, 2026 |
| 10 | 19.0 | Jan. 26-27, 2011 |
Even though it did not produce the highest snowfall the 1888 storm may have been the most impactful due to the relatively primitive weather forecasting, communication, infrastructure and snow removal capabilities at that time compared to today. No, I was not alive to experience it firsthand, (but I do remember a bit of the storm of 1947-48 even though I was only two).
The “Great Blizzard of 1888,” also known as the “Great White Hurricane” (March 11–14, 1888), which paralyzed the East Coast from the easternmost provinces of Canada to the Chesapeake Bay, was the deadliest blizzard in U.S. history. Some areas recorded up to 58 inches of snow with drifts of up to 50 feet plus sustained winds in excess of 45 miles per hour.
There was near total paralysis. All emergency services were disabled, some for several days. Fire houses were closed, which resulted in property damage from fire alone in the amount of an estimated $25 million (equivalent to $900 million in 2025). Railroads were shut down; roads were impassable; and people were confined to their homes for up to a week. Telegraph and telephone lines, which at the time were above ground and fully exposed to the elements, were out of service. This likely provided the impetus to move them as well as subways underground. The NYSE was closed for two days for the first time (and not again until Superstorm Sandy in 2012). Along the Eastern Seaboard more than 200 ships were either grounded or destroyed. At least 100 seamen died. Authorities ran out of places to store the excess snow, so there were attempts to push it into the Atlantic Ocean. Afterwards, as the snow melted it produced severe flooding in low-lying areas.
Conclusion
NYC has been doing a terrible job of dealing with the snow. There are still a plethora of places where snow from the previous storm has not been cleared. Once again, Mayor Mamdani’s inexperience and incompetence is apparent. He has resorted to seeking paid volunteers to shovel snow. I find it most ironic that the city is requiring each volunteer to produce multiple pieces of ID. This is the same Mamdani who is a staunch advocate of voting without producing any ID. The Dems’ hypocrisy is endless and priceless.
One final word. Be careful shoveling snow even if you feel strong and healthy. Seniors should not be doing so under any circumstances. Your cardiologist would not approve. Every year we hear several instances of people who do so having coronaries. Don’t be a statistic.
We Built It Blog by Larry Jacob 