Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci reported at approximately 6:00 PM UTC on February 22, 2026, during the 59-minute reporting window from 5:45:30 PM to 6:45:24 PM, that the intensifying blizzard over New Jersey and surrounding areas will produce tornado-strength waterspouts 250 miles offshore in the warm sector, 3+ inches per hour snowfall rates over the open Atlantic west of the rain/snow line with thundersnow, a calm eye-like feature at the storm center, and a 75-90 mph sting jet east of the Delmarva Peninsula. Cappucci described the storm as a "meteorological masterpiece" evolving into "something elegantly extreme," according to his X post within the current window. He warned mariners of thunderstorms capable of large hail and destructive winds offshore, noted potential pea-sized hail with thundersnow, and explained the eye-like feature forms through baroclinic processes involving sinking air and a warm blob, distinct from a true hurricane eye. The sting jet east of the Delmarva Peninsula will result from wraparound moisture evaporating in the storm's dry slot, dragging upper-atmospheric winds to the surface, Cappucci stated. This update builds on the ongoing statewide New Jersey blizzard warning covering all counties, first confirmed by NycStormChaser earlier today at 11:15 AM and 2:20 PM UTC, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's announcement of public school closures Monday at 5:00 PM UTC. Earlier warnings from ContentWxGuy and Capital Weather Gang during prior hours highlighted heavy snow bands pressing toward New York from New England and the Mid-Atlantic, with NWS Boston noting severe conditions southeast of Boston-Providence expected Monday morning.
