New England Digs Out After Blizzard of 2026 Leaves Record Snowfall, Power Outages

It was a cleanup day across southern New England Tuesday as residents worked to dig out from one of the biggest snowstorms the region has seen in years. The Blizzard of 2026 dumped up to three feet of snow in parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, paralyzing travel, cutting power to hundreds of thousands and prompting widespread school closures.

According to NBC Boston, crews spent the morning plowing mountains of snow while utilities scrambled to restore power to roughly 250,000 customers still in the dark across Massachusetts. Airports weren’t spared either—dozens of flights remained canceled at Boston Logan as runways and access roads were cleared.

The sprawling nor’easter began late Sunday and intensified through Monday, meeting official blizzard criteria for the first time in southern New England in four years. Wind gusts topped 50 mph along the coast, creating whiteout conditions and snowdrifts higher than cars. By the time skies cleared overnight, the southern half of the region was buried.

CBS Boston meteorologist Terry Eliasen reported that Providence recorded an astonishing 37 inches, the city’s highest snowfall total on record—beating even the legendary Blizzard of ’78. Southeastern Massachusetts saw the heaviest accumulation, while Boston officially measured 16.9 inches, pushing this season’s snowfall total over 60 inches. That makes it the city’s snowiest winter since 2014‑15.

Across New England, the storm left behind snapped utility poles, downed trees and stranded vehicles. Emergency crews urged residents to stay off the roads while heavy equipment cleared secondary streets and sidewalks. Local officials also cautioned that melting and refreezing could create slick conditions as temperatures dipped Tuesday night.

The widespread closures offered an impromptu snow day for students and remote workers alike, but the work of clearing driveways and roofs was just beginning. Municipalities from Fall River to Worcester dispatched additional crews to help remove snow from downtown areas to prevent flooding when warmer weather arrives later in the week.

Meteorologists are already watching the next potential system. NBC Boston’s weather team noted that another round or two of snow is possible later this week, though accumulations should be lighter.

For many residents, though, one blizzard is enough. As the piles grow higher than mailbox posts and the region catches its breath, the Blizzard of 2026 will be remembered not only for its sheer force but for the eerie familiarity it brought back—another reminder that New England winters can still pack a serious punch.