It’s been a week of wild winter weather across the United States, as a potent combination of snow, wind, and freezing rain swept through much of the country, leaving millions grappling with dangerous travel and the prospect of school closures. From the windswept mountains of Alaska and Montana to the bustling cities of New England, the latest winter storm delivered a powerful reminder that February can still pack a punch.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the first warnings went out on February 9, 2026, as forecasters predicted 10 to 20 inches of snow for Montana’s Cooke City area and the surrounding mountains. Not to be outdone, the Northern Bristol Bay Coast and Western Capes areas of Alaska were bracing for 11 to 17 inches, while high-elevation zones on Hawaii’s Big Island faced a rare forecast of 10 to 16 inches of snow. Even for regions accustomed to winter’s wrath, these numbers were eyebrow-raising.
But it wasn’t just snow piling up. The NWS also issued a high wind warning for Alaska’s Adak and Atka areas, calling for southeast gusts between 55 and 95 mph until noon on February 10. Meanwhile, Wyoming’s Arlington, Bordeaux, and Elk Mountain prepared for winds up to 70 mph, and Montana’s Cooke City braced for gusts near 50 mph. Hawaii’s snow-capped peaks weren’t spared either, with winds expected to reach 60 mph. As Men’s Journal reported, the combination of heavy snow and fierce winds created whiteout conditions, making travel treacherous and prompting officials to urge residents to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks—like shoveling snow if they have underlying health conditions.
While the West hunkered down, the Northeast was gearing up for its own round of wintry chaos. On February 10, a fast-moving clipper system swept across New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Maine. The NWS issued winter weather advisories for broad swaths of these states, warning of accumulating snow and hazardous travel. New Hampshire, in particular, was under a statewide winter weather warning, with meteorologists predicting the heaviest snow during the evening hours, tapering off before the Wednesday morning commute—though snow was expected to linger longer in northern and eastern Maine and higher elevations.
“A weak weather system will bring a period of light snowfall to the region. Although snowfall amounts will be light, travel will still be impacted due to snowfall accumulations on untreated roads,” the NWS Gray, Maine office said in a winter weather advisory, as reported by Newsweek. The advisory continued, “Periods of moderate and heavy snow will combine with low visibility to create dangerous driving conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute.”
Just how much snow fell? Forecasts placed the range at 1 to 7 inches across the Northeast. The heaviest totals—up to 7 inches—were expected in northern Fulton and southern Herkimer counties in New York, as well as Bennington and western Windham counties in Vermont. Most towns across northeastern Massachusetts, Vermont, and upstate New York picked up 2 to 4 inches, with lighter amounts closer to the South Coast and Cape, where some mixing with rain occurred late Tuesday night, according to NBC Boston. Even a glaze of ice was possible in parts of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, adding another layer of hazard for drivers.
Timing was everything. In Vermont, snow began around 2 p.m. Tuesday and persisted through 7 a.m. Wednesday. In Maine and New Hampshire, the flakes started falling around 5 p.m. For Connecticut and Massachusetts, the storm hit around 6 p.m. and continued until 6 a.m. Wednesday. Farther south, southern New York and northeastern Pennsylvania dealt with freezing rain starting around 3 p.m. “The heaviest snowfall rates are expected to occur during the evening commute and will likely yield slow travel during this time,” NWS Burlington, Vermont, warned. “Roads will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions.”
For commuters, the timing couldn’t have been worse. The evening rush hour on February 10 was particularly dicey, with road conditions deteriorating rapidly as snow intensified. “Travel will get iffy during the evening commute. The worst road conditions will be late evening, close to midnight. By the morning commute, the snow will be over for the most part, but travel may still be slippery in spots,” NBC Boston reported. The NWS Boston office echoed the concern: “Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.”
With so much uncertainty, school officials across the region were left scrambling. Would classes go on as scheduled, be delayed, or canceled altogether? As Newsweek noted, the decision hinged on the exact timing and track of the snow. NWS meteorologist Derek Schroeter told the publication that in some areas, road crews would have enough time to clear away the snow before school buses rolled out, but in others, accumulation could continue into the morning, forcing last-minute decisions. Parents and students were advised to stay tuned to local updates from meteorologists and school officials.
After the storm, forecasters offered a bit of relief. The rest of the week looked relatively quiet for mid-February, with seasonable highs in the upper 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit and only spotty chances for nuisance snow. “Late week looks mostly dry, with some sunshine and highs in the mid to upper 20s,” NBC5 reported for Vermont and northern New York. Presidents’ Day weekend was expected to start with sunshine and continued mild temperatures, though meteorologists were already eyeing a potential storm for Monday, February 16, with uncertainty lingering over its path and impact.
Of course, the broader context can’t be ignored. This parade of storms serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of winter in the United States—where one day can bring a tranquil, sunlit landscape and the next, a blizzard that grinds daily life to a halt. For those living in the affected regions, the message from meteorologists is clear: stay weather-aware, heed local advisories, and take precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
As cleanup crews get to work and residents dig out, all eyes are on the next forecast. In a season defined by its surprises, the only certainty is that winter isn’t done yet.