The Tri-State area braced itself for a winter wallop as a major snowstorm swept through New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut from the evening of December 26 through the morning of December 27, 2025. The region, which had not seen significant snow in years, found itself under winter storm warnings as meteorologists and officials urged residents to prepare for hazardous conditions and stay off the roads.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), snowfall rates reached an impressive 1-2 inches per hour during the storm's peak, particularly between 5 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday. This rapid accumulation led to treacherous travel conditions, with visibility dropping to near whiteout levels in some areas. In a statement, the New York City Office of Emergency Management warned, "Snow will overspread the area through 5:30 PM, with visibility dropping to 1 mile or less. Untreated roadways will likely become snow covered. Conditions will deteriorate rapidly. Travel is not recommended this evening."
While New York City proper was spared the heaviest of the snow thanks to a mix of sleet and freezing rain, Central Park still managed to record 4.3 inches by 7 a.m. on December 27, marking its highest total since January 2022. The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens saw similar amounts, with the Bronx reporting 4.3 inches near Fordham and Brooklyn neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Bay Ridge seeing between 3 and 3.5 inches.
However, the real story unfolded north and east of the city. The Hudson Valley, Connecticut, and parts of Long Island were hit hardest, with totals climbing well above six inches in many locations. According to Patch and the National Weather Service, New Fairfield, Connecticut, led the pack with a whopping 9.1 inches. Meriden, CT, wasn't far behind at 9.0 inches, and towns like Westbrook, Clinton, and Durham all logged between 7.7 and 8 inches. In New London County, Preston reached 9.9 inches, while New London itself saw just over 7 inches.
The impact was felt across county lines. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, speaking to ABC7NY, highlighted both the preparation and the dangers that linger after the snow: "Black ice is going to be a problem in the next few days. Avoid going out on the street where you could slip and fall. We want everyone to stay safe. Same thing goes for driving. Be very careful." Suffolk saw some of the highest snow totals anywhere in the Tri-State Area, with Babylon reporting 7.5 inches and North Patchogue 6.8 inches.
On Long Island, officials were quick to act. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman declared a state of emergency, emphasizing, "As a result of the change in forecast, which could have accumulations of over 10 inches of snow, I am declaring a state of emergency, which will enhance our ability to get the county back to normal as quickly as possible." Local governments deployed plows and salt spreaders around the clock, and Suffolk County reported it had sufficient funds in its snow removal budget thanks to mild winters in recent years.
New Jersey, meanwhile, saw less snow than initially forecast, with northern areas generally receiving 2-4 inches and even less further south. Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. told ABC7NY, "We were prepared for 8 inches of snow and we got less than 4 here. We're gonna salt. We're not concerned with the snow right now ... but we're concerned with the black ice." The state had imposed a ban on commercial vehicles across major highways, including I-78, I-80, I-280, and I-287, but lifted those restrictions by 8 a.m. Saturday as conditions improved.
Travel disruptions extended beyond the roads. The three major New York City airports—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty—reported hundreds of delays and cancellations. Newark Liberty led the list with 321 delays and 249 cancellations, while JFK saw 279 delays and 387 cancellations. The NYC Department of Sanitation responded by hiring emergency snow shovelers to help clear public areas, offering pay starting at $19.14 per hour and rising to $28.71 after 40 hours in a week.
Power outages, often a major concern in heavy snow events, were thankfully limited. PSEG Long Island's Director of Emergency Preparedness, Larry Torres, explained to ABC7NY, "A heavy snow usually weighs down branches, causing additional outages. But it appears that the consistency of this snow was normal to very dry, given the temperatures. So that helped contributing to the low number of outages we experienced." Around 200 customers lost power overnight, a relatively minor impact given the storm's intensity.
As the snow tapered off Saturday morning, attention shifted to cleanup and lingering dangers. Black ice became the new threat, as below-freezing temperatures turned wet roads into hazardous sheets. Officials across the region urged residents to allow plows and salt trucks to do their work and to avoid unnecessary travel. Alternate side parking rules in New York City were suspended to facilitate snow removal, and the Queensboro Bridge, closed during the storm due to icy conditions, was reopened once it was deemed safe.
Weather forecasts for Connecticut and the broader region indicated a brief reprieve, with mostly sunny skies and cold temperatures, but more precipitation was on the horizon. The National Weather Service predicted patchy fog, a chance of rain and freezing rain Sunday night, and fluctuating temperatures ranging from lows around 6°F to highs near 50°F as the new year approached.
Throughout the storm, officials emphasized preparedness and communication. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency covering more than half the counties in the state, stating, "The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority, and I continue to urge extreme caution throughout the duration of this storm. Please continue to monitor your local forecast, avoid unnecessary travel and if you must travel, take all necessary precautions to ensure you arrive safely at your destination."
Mayor Eric Adams echoed these sentiments, noting that city agencies had been working "around the clock" to prepare for the winter weather. "We expect slick roads this afternoon and evening. We know many New Yorkers may be traveling for the holidays, so we want to ask them to limit travel on our roads during this time. If you must travel, use public transportation," Adams advised.
For many across the Tri-State area, the storm was a stark reminder of winter's power and unpredictability. While some took to Central Park and neighborhood streets to enjoy the fresh snow, others faced the reality of slippery roads, delayed flights, and the need for caution in the days ahead. As the region digs out, the message from leaders and meteorologists alike is clear: stay safe, stay informed, and be ready for whatever winter brings next.
