Hundreds of schools are closed, delayed or implementing virtual learning days on Monday as a powerful nor'easter impacts portions of the Eastern U.S. What's happening: The National Weather Service said the major winter storm would bring widespread, significant impacts across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast with 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour at times and totals as high as 1 or 2 feet resulting in nearly impossible travel conditions.
Howard County Public Schools are now closed Monday, February 23, 2026, with worsening inclement weather conditions and an extended winter weather advisory. Across Maryland, the impacts are sweeping. Anne Arundel County Public Schools will operate virtually on Monday, February 23, with students engaging in real-time virtual instruction with their teachers. Baltimore City Public Schools will follow virtual learning schedules. The disruption extends well beyond the Mid-Atlantic region. New York City Public Schools will have a full snow day on Monday—the first real snow day in seven years. In Massachusetts, the closure is equally dramatic: hundreds of schools are shut Monday across the state, with Boston, Brockton, and Worcester among the districts that have announced cancellations.
New York City has already seen 9-11 inches of snow with the storm potentially ranking among the city's 10 worst in 150 years. Blizzard warnings from the National Weather Service are in effect in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. Beyond schools, the winter weather is causing widespread chaos. Thousands of flights have been canceled nationwide, with New York-area airports experiencing the most disruptions. If you're in the affected regions, check our blizzard warning coverage for real-time updates and safety guidance. You can also stay informed with freeze watch alerts spreading across the U.S. In the meantime, monitor your local school district's official announcements for the latest status updates and any changes to operations.