During times of emergency, The Foggiest Idea consolidates the reports of various news outlets to provide accurate, timely, and useful information to help reduce the spread of misinformation that jeopardizes timely response.
UPDATED 8:15 am on February 21, 2026
What was initially an all-or-nothing forecast, predictions have become increasingly dire as a massive nor’easter churns its way towards the New York metro area, threatening to bring with it heavy snow, coastal flooding, and strong winds.
Pictured: NWS snowfall accumulation forecasts for the coming blizzard. Forecasters say these totals can go higher if the storm track shifts even slightly. (Source: National Weather Service, New York Office)
With less than 24-hours until the flakes start falling, Long Islanders woke up to amplified predictions of a late winter storm event that will bring anywhere from 13 to 18 inches of snow – with some computer and AI models showing over two feet of accumulation if the storm track shifts even slightly.
As of writing, a few local governments have been taking precautionary measures to prepare for the pending blizzard. Late Friday, Riverhead Town has declared a State of Emergency, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has touted their preparations on his social media page. You can expect more localities to address the weather in the coming hours.
As per the weather service’s latest guidance, snows are forecast to hit the area from the southwest to the northeast on Sunday, with accumulation starting on Long Island by early afternoon. The combination of heavy wet snow and winds is expected to bring scattered power outages as tree limbs get weighed down.
“Things have really escalated quickly overnight,” Accuweather meteorologist Bill Dager said on-air via 1010 WINS. “If you have time today to prepare, today is the day to do it.” According to Dager, the snow is expected to be wet and heavy compared to the last snows the region experienced.
Forecasters are calling for the heaviest snows to fall Sunday night into Monday morning. Winds are slated to be 35 mph, with gusts of 55 mph. Snowfall rates during the storms peak can are expected to be up to 2 inches per hour.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to TFI for more updates as conditions warrant.
