The National Weather Service Boston office forecasted highest snowfall amounts of 18-24 inches with pockets up to 30 inches possible in southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where 55-75 mph wind gusts combined with heavy wet snow pose the greatest risk for tree damage and power outages, with heaviest snowfall rates expected from 4 a.m. to noon on Monday, according to their update posted during the reporting window from 6:45:36 PM to 7:45:37 PM UTC on February 22, 2026. This forecast specifies the peak impacts in southeast MA and RI amid the intensifying blizzard affecting the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Heaviest snowfall rates of up to 3+ inches per hour with thundersnow were previously noted over the open Atlantic west of the rain/snow line by meteorologist Matthew Cappucci at 6:00 PM UTC in the prior hour. The NWS Boston update builds on the statewide New Jersey blizzard warning covering all counties, first confirmed by NycStormChaser at 11:15 AM and 2:20 PM UTC earlier today, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's announcement with Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels at 5:00 PM UTC of public school closures on Monday, including remote learning. Earlier warnings from ContentWxGuy and Capital Weather Gang highlighted heavy snow bands pressing toward New York from New England and the Mid-Atlantic, with intense rates of one inch per hour possible west and northwest of Interstate 95 between late afternoon and midnight.
