Snow began falling at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey, prompting planes to be deiced before takeoff, as reported by meteorologist Aaron JayJack at approximately 8:00 PM UTC on February 22, 2026, during the 29-minute reporting window from 7:45:48 PM to 8:15:38 PM. Conditions are set to worsen tonight along the Jersey shore amid the historic blizzard, according to his X post tracking the storm for AccuWeather. This development marks the onset of intensifying blizzard conditions over New Jersey, building on the statewide blizzard warning covering all counties confirmed earlier today by NycStormChaser. NWS Boston's forecast from the prior hour projects 18-24 inches of snowfall with up to 30-inch pockets in southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where 55-75 mph wind gusts and heavy wet snow raise power outage risks from 4 a.m. to noon Monday. Earlier in the evening, meteorologist Matthew Cappucci reported extreme offshore features including tornado-strength waterspouts, 3+ inches per hour snowfall rates with thundersnow over the open Atlantic, and a 75-90 mph sting jet east of the Delmarva Peninsula at around 6:00 PM UTC. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced closure of all public schools Monday at 5:00 PM UTC in response to the approaching storm.
