Blizzard of 2026: Suffolk Tops 30 Inches, NYC Logs Top-10 Snowstorm; LIRR Resumes Limited Service as More Snow Looms This Week

The Blizzard of 2026 is officially in the history books — and for parts of New York City and Long Island, it was record-shattering.

The storm, which has now pulled out to sea, delivered hurricane-force wind gusts, widespread whiteout conditions and more than two feet of snow across large swaths of the Tri-State area. Cleanup is well underway, but lingering impacts — from black ice to transit delays — remain across NYC and Suffolk County.

Record and Near-Record Snowfall

In Manhattan, Central Park recorded 19.7 inches, ranking as its ninth-largest snowstorm on record.

But it was Long Island — particularly Suffolk County — that bore the brunt of the blizzard’s fury.

At Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip, 29.1 inches fell, making it the largest snowstorm on record there. Nearby Central Islip topped the region with 31 inches, while multiple Suffolk communities surpassed 30 inches.

Peak wind gusts were equally staggering:

• 84 mph at Montauk Point Lighthouse
• 74 mph in Stony Brook

Those readings are comparable to a Category 1 hurricane. Even after snowfall tapered Monday afternoon, gusts over 40 mph combined with deep snowpack to sustain blizzard conditions across much of Long Island.

Suffolk County Snow Totals

Suffolk emerged as one of the storm’s biggest “winners,” with widespread 25- to 30-inch totals. Notable snowfall reports include:

• Central Islip: 31 inches
• Babylon: 29.5 inches
• Islip: 29.1 inches
• Nesconset: 28.8 inches
• North Patchogue: 28.6 inches
• Montauk: 28.1 inches
• Remsenburg-Speonk: 27.5 inches
• Orient: 26.5 inches
• Quogue: 26 inches
• Shinnecock Hills: 25 inches
• Southampton: 24 inches
• Mattituck: 23.3 inches
• Flanders: 23 inches
• Riverhead: 22.5 inches
• Shelter Island: 21.1 inches

In Nassau County, totals ranged from the low- to mid-20s, including:

• Lynbrook: 24 inches
• Plainview: 23.8 inches
• East Meadow: 23.7 inches
• South Massapequa: 22.4 inches

Elsewhere in the region, Newark recorded 27.1 inches — its second-largest snowstorm — and parts of New Jersey topped 30 inches.

Photo: Cole Wyland

NYC and Long Island Recovery: Transit, Schools, Sanitation

New York City’s Sanitation Department declared an official “end of storm” at 4:30 p.m. Monday, triggering the clock for property owners to clear a four-foot path or face fines.

Public transit is slowly coming back online. The Long Island Rail Road resumed limited service at 4 a.m. Tuesday on the Ronkonkoma, Huntington, Babylon, Oyster Bay, Montauk and Port Washington branches. Montauk trains are operating between Speonk and points west, and there is currently no service to or from Grand Central. Riders are urged to check the TrainTime app before traveling and allow for extra time.

Metro-North Railroad is operating on an enhanced Saturday schedule, with roughly two-thirds of routes running.

New York City Public Schools reopened Tuesday, though officials said students may be excused for weather- or transportation-related delays. On Long Island, many districts opted for closures or delayed openings as plows continue clearing neighborhood roads.

Officials are also warning of overnight refreezing as melting snow turns to black ice.

More Snow Ahead?

While nothing will rival the historic blizzard, two additional systems are on the horizon this week:

• Wednesday morning: A fast-moving clipper could bring a coating to 1 inch, with isolated 2-inch totals north and west of NYC.
• Late Thursday: A wintry mix may produce another 1 to 2 inches in spots.

Neither system is expected to significantly impact the region compared to what is now one of the top 10 snowstorms in New York City history — and an all-time benchmark for parts of Suffolk County.

For now, Long Islanders are digging out from what will likely be remembered as one of the most powerful winter storms to hit the East End in decades.

Keep in mind: 24 days until the first day of Spring. (Check out out the Blizzard of 2026 Snow Pics across the East End and in NYC.)

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .