As Sunday night falls over New York City and its neighboring regions, residents are bracing for what meteorologists and officials warn could be the most powerful winter storm to hit the Tri-State area in years. The storm, dubbed Winter Storm Hernando by the Weather Channel, is expected to bring blizzard conditions, dangerous travel, and the potential for widespread power outages from Sunday evening into Monday, according to multiple forecasts and emergency declarations. For many, this storm evokes memories of January 2016—the biggest snowstorm ever recorded in New York City—and the rare blizzard warning of March 2017. But for some, it’s the fifth consecutive weekend of accumulating snow, and nerves are beginning to fray.
Eyewitness News Meteorologist Jeff Smith told WABC that this could be “one of the most significant snowstorms the region has seen in years.” The convergence of energy from the Ohio Valley and moisture from the Gulf and Atlantic is producing a system that, in Smith’s words, “almost resembles a winter hurricane.” The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland counties, coastal Connecticut, and much of New Jersey. These warnings aren’t issued lightly—they require winds gusting at least 35 mph, heavy snow, and visibility under a quarter mile for at least three consecutive hours. Forecasters say the region could see 10 to 12 hours of true blizzard conditions from Sunday night into Monday.
Snowfall totals are expected to be dramatic. Most of the Tri-State area is projected to see between 12 and 18 inches, with localized bands—especially on Long Island and parts of the Jersey Shore—possibly dumping 24 inches or more where the heaviest snow lingers. Points north and west, such as the Poconos and Catskills, are likely to see 8 to 12 inches due to their distance from the storm’s core moisture. CBS News New York meteorologist Vanessa Murdock said, “Up to 2 feet of snow is possible south and east of New York City, while points north and west could see 12 to 18 inches.”
The winds are another major concern. Gusts are expected to increase throughout Sunday, peaking overnight with gusts over 40 mph across the region and potentially reaching 60 mph on Long Island. Meteorologist Jonathan Belles told The Weather Channel, “Blizzard conditions are likely from Delaware to Massachusetts as Winter Storm Hernando moves by offshore from Sunday into Monday. This will bring strong gusts up to 55 mph, heavy and wet snow, lowered visibility, and coastal flooding to coastal areas.”
Travel will become treacherous rapidly. Snowfall rates could reach 2 to 3 inches per hour, and in some places, those intense bands could persist for hours. The Monday morning commute may be impossible in some areas, with roads deteriorating quickly Sunday evening. Officials are warning that highways, rail lines, and airports across the Northeast will face significant delays. AccuWeather estimates that more than 2,500 flights could be canceled between Sunday and Monday. Carl Erickson, AccuWeather’s director of forecasting operations, put it bluntly: “The storm will be incredibly disruptive and dangerous. Blowing snow and near-zero visibility will make travel nearly impossible during the worst of the storm.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, at a Saturday afternoon press conference, urged citizens to stay off the roads. “Let me be clear: No one will be denied shelter in our city,” Mamdani said, referencing the city’s activation of the “Code Blue” emergency protocol, which expands outreach and provides immediate access to shelter for homeless individuals and anyone without heat. The city’s fleet of 700 salt trucks will be deployed as soon as two inches of snow have accumulated, with plow trucks following. The city is also recruiting emergency snow shovelers online and has reminded residents to keep fire hydrants clear. The New York City Fire Department emphasized that snow-buried hydrants can cause dangerous delays in emergencies.
Emergency measures are being taken up and down the coast. New Jersey’s governor declared a state of emergency, urging residents to “follow all safety protocols during the storm.” Governor Kathy Hochul of New York declared a State of Emergency in more than 20 counties and activated the New York National Guard. Starting Sunday, 100 National Guard members and 25 vehicles will be staged across downstate regions to assist with storm response, and the State Emergency Operations Center will be active. Transit agencies are adjusting service, and beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, empty commercial vehicles and tandem tractor trailers are banned from I-84 and roads south of it, including sections of the Thruway.
Winter Storm Warnings are also in effect for parts of the Hudson Valley, where 10 to 15 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible. Additional counties are under Winter Storm Watches. Projected snow totals include 12–18 inches for parts of Long Island and the Cape, 6–10 inches for New York City, 8–12 inches for Boston, 3–6 inches for Baltimore, and 1–3 inches for Washington, D.C. Localized higher amounts are possible if heavier snow bands develop, forecasters warn.
The storm’s impacts won’t be limited to snow and wind. Coastal regions from Delmarva through Long Island are bracing for high waves, beach erosion, and possible coastal flooding during high tide. Power outages are a real worry, especially where the snow is wet and heavy. Officials say strong winds and heavy snow could bring down trees and power lines, causing scattered outages, especially in coastal neighborhoods. Local reports indicate that salt supplies are critically low amid what has been a particularly harsh winter for the Northeast.
For those who must travel, officials urge extreme caution. They recommend keeping a winter survival kit in your vehicle, driving slowly, allowing extra stopping distance, and avoiding sudden braking or acceleration. If stranded, remain with your vehicle and check local Department of Transportation updates before heading out. As one official put it, “Travel during peak blizzard conditions could be life-threatening.”
This latest storm marks the fifth consecutive weekend of accumulating snow for parts of the Northeast. New York City has already recorded 22.3 inches of snow this season, nearly matching its historical average of 22.1 inches. Recent bitter cold has driven up heating costs and caused widespread disruptions, compounding the challenges now posed by Hernando.
Looking ahead, forecasters say snow will gradually taper off by Monday afternoon, though gusty winds and blowing snow will continue to make cleanup difficult. Tuesday is expected to be colder and breezy, with another, weaker system possible on Wednesday. AccuWeather alerts will remain in effect through Monday morning, and snowfall projections are being updated as new data comes in.
With the region on high alert and emergency protocols in place, residents are hunkering down, hoping to weather the storm safely. As always, the advice from officials is simple but urgent: stay home if you can, keep informed, and look out for your neighbors.