The Philadelphia region was hit Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, by a winter storm that rapidly intensified into a bomb cyclone, producing heavy snow, strong winds and widespread impacts across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. By shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, winter storm and blizzard warnings were canceled following a 14-inch total at Philadelphia International Airport — the largest snowfall at PHL since Jan. 23, 2016, when 22.4 inches was measured.
Snowfall totals were higher in parts of New Jersey. Bayville in Ocean County recorded 25.8 inches. Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and Mount Holly, New Jersey, each had 22 inches. Dover, Delaware, reported 18 inches, and Mays Landing, New Jersey, had 17 inches.
Earlier measurements tracked the steady rise in totals. As of 8:35 p.m. Sunday, Philadelphia International Airport reported 1.5 inches. Nazareth had 2.6 inches; Willow Grove and Norristown 1.6 inches; Mount Pocono 3.3 inches; Whitehall Township 2.2 inches; West Chester 1.5 inches; and Exton 1.4 inches. In New Jersey, Brigantine had 4.1 inches; Atlantic City International 2.6 inches; Hammonton 1.8 inches; Lumberton and Cherry Hill 3.5 inches; Blackwood 2.5 inches; Lindenwold and Vineland 2.0 inches; and Trenton Mercer Airport 2.8 inches. Delaware totals included 0.6 inches at New Castle County Airport, 2.2 inches in Georgetown and 5.0 inches in North Harrington.
By 12:50 a.m. Monday, totals had climbed. Bustleton in Northeast Philadelphia had 5.0 inches; Manayunk 6.5 inches; Berwyn 8.0 inches; Bryn Mawr 5.0 inches; Middletown Township 5.2 inches; Chadds Ford Township 4.8 inches; Willow Grove 7.2 inches; Norristown 5.2 inches; Morton 7.0 inches; Media 5.0 inches; Garnet Valley 6.0 inches; Whitehall Township 3.8 inches; West Goshen 6.1 inches; and Exton 7.0 inches. In New Jersey, Atlantic City had 7.6 inches; Dennisville 12.0 inches; Blackwood 9.0 inches; Brigantine 7.5 inches; Hammonton 5.0 inches; Lumberton 7.6 inches; Cherry Hill 7.0 inches; Collingswood 10.0 inches; Moorestown 7.6 inches; Franklin Township 6.2 inches; Ewing Township 6.0 inches; and Robbinsville Township 7.5 inches. Delaware totals included 10.0 inches at Dover Air Force Base, 7.0 inches in Hockessin, 7.1 inches at North Delaware Coastal Airport and 5.0 inches in North Harrington.
By early Monday, more than a foot had fallen in several areas. Mount Holly had 18.5 inches; Lewes 18 inches; Lindenwold 16.5 inches; Tullytown, Pennsylvania, 16 inches; Chesterfield, New Jersey, 15.9 inches; Harrington, Delaware, 12.2 inches; and Morton in Delaware County just over 10 inches.
Meteorologists confirmed the system became a bomb cyclone after a pressure drop of 25 millibars in 24 hours. Bombogenesis occurs when a non-tropical winter storm rapidly intensifies, typically from a clash between an Arctic air mass and warmer, moist ocean air, with a central pressure drop of at least 24 millibars within 24 hours. These storms can produce heavy snow, blizzards, thundersnow, coastal flooding and flooding rains. Impacts can include widespread power outages, coastal erosion, tree damage and structural damage from near hurricane-force winds reaching 74 mph, leading to the nickname “Winter Hurricane.” Bomb cyclones are most common along the eastern seaboard during winter and early spring, and extreme nor’easters are usually bomb cyclones.
The storm began pulling away between 10 a.m. and noon Monday. Scattered snow showers and high winds tapered by Monday evening. Temperatures were forecast to drop into the 20s Monday night, remain near freezing Tuesday and stay below freezing Tuesday night, turning remaining snow and water into ice. Temperatures were expected to rise into the 40s and 50s Wednesday through Friday, with a chance of rain Thursday and Friday. The following weekend was forecast to be sunny and mild in the low 50s. Philadelphia remained under a NEXT Weather Alert into Tuesday morning because of lingering snow and refreeze concerns, and another NEXT Weather Alert was issued for Tuesday due to the possibility of snow and rain showers, with light accumulations possible depending on timing.
Emergency declarations were issued ahead of the storm. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a disaster emergency proclamation Sunday. “I signed a proclamation of a disaster emergency, which will allow this team the flexibility to procure what is needed to flex what is needed, and to be able to deal with this storm,” Shapiro said. “It’ll also provide us some flexibility as we work with our local leaders, from mayors to county commissioners and others.” New Jersey declared a state of emergency and implemented a full travel ban on all roads except the New Jersey Turnpike starting at 9 p.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Monday, later extending the ban until 12 p.m. Monday. Delaware Gov. Matthew Meyer declared a state of emergency and activated the Delaware National Guard. “I’m declaring a State of Emergency and activating every available state resource to ensure Delawareans are protected as this blizzard blankets our communities, including increased risks for coastal flooding,” Meyer said. “Prepare now, please stay off the roads once the storm begins, and look out for your neighbors. We will continue working around the clock to keep every Delawarean safe.”
In Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle Parker declared a disaster emergency and a snow emergency. “The declaration of a Disaster Emergency will allow Philadelphia to more effectively fight this large and dangerous storm as it rolls in,” Parker said. “It is absolutely vital that the City be able to mobilize and utilize all available resources to address this extreme snow emergency and protect the health, safety, property, and welfare of Philadelphia residents.” The city also declared a Code Blue, keeping warming centers open 24 hours until 9 a.m. Wednesday.
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PennDOT reduced speed limits to 45 mph on Interstates 76, 95, 295, 476 and 676; U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202 and 422; and State Routes 63, 100 Spur and 309. Commercial vehicles, school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs and passenger vehicles towing trailers were restricted while measures were in effect. By noon Monday, most speed and vehicle restrictions were lifted. A 45 mph limit remained on I-295 in Bucks County until shortly before 1 p.m. Bucks County saw more than 20 inches in some locations.
Delaware imposed Level 3 driving restrictions in Kent and Sussex counties at 10 p.m. Sunday, limiting travel to first responders, utility crews and snow removal workers. Employers were instructed not to fire, reprimand or discipline employees who missed work during the ban. New Castle County was under Level 2 restrictions. By Monday evening, restrictions in New Castle County were lifted, while Level 2 restrictions remained in Kent and Sussex counties, limiting travel to emergency workers, public utilities, healthcare providers including hospital staff, snow removal operators, food and fuel deliveries and organizations granted waivers.
Updated Driving Restrictions as of February 23, 2026 @ p.m.
*Update – The Level 1 Driving Warning for New Castle County has been lifted. Drivers are encouraged to use caution as there may still be snow or ice in some areas.
⚠️ Kent County & Sussex County Level 2 Driving… pic.twitter.com/ItEkbjyYBb
— Delaware State Police (@DEStatePolice) February 23, 2026
Public transportation systems were suspended or modified. SEPTA Regional Rail was suspended Monday morning until safety inspections were complete. Bus and G Line service were suspended at that time. The T Line was diverted to 40th and Market streets, and M Line service operated only between 69th Street Transit Center and Radnor Station due to a downed tree. Later Monday, more than 20 bus routes were restored, including routes 37, 54 and 79. The Market-Frankford (L) and Broad Street (B) lines operated with delays. The T (Subway-Surface Trolleys), D (Media–Sharon Hill) and M (Norristown High Speed) lines ran modified service. SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer said inspection trains were on Regional Rail lines and warned that any restored service would not operate on a regular schedule, advising commuters to check the SEPTA app. The Center City trolley tunnels reopened, and Access Paratransit service resumed at 3 p.m.
NJ Transit suspended bus, rail, light rail and Access Link service Sunday evening. On Monday afternoon, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Newark Light Rail and the River Line would resume on a Sunday schedule around 4 p.m., and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail would resume around 6 p.m. on a weekend schedule. “We are pleased that light rail services are set to return later today,” Sherrill said. “I am confident that these dedicated men and women will continue their efforts in the aftermath of this historic snowstorm until all systems are fully operational.” For Tuesday, NJ Transit rail service, except the Atlantic City Rail Line, was set to operate on a Presidents Day schedule with adjustments. The Atlantic City Rail Line would operate on a regular weekday schedule. Bus, Light Rail and Access Link services were scheduled to operate on a regular weekday schedule, with possible delays, cancellations or detours.
Amtrak temporarily suspended Keystone Service until about noon Monday. Eastbound trains 640, 642, 600, 644, 646 and 648 and westbound trains 601, 605, 607, 661, 643 and 609 were canceled in their entirety.
At Philadelphia International Airport, 602 flights in and out of PHL were canceled as of 5 a.m. Monday. Earlier reports listed four delayed flights and 602 cancellations as of 2 a.m., and more than 350 flights were canceled Sunday. TSA checkpoints and ticketing at Terminals A-West, B and C were closed Feb. 23. Flights resumed around 2:20 p.m. Monday, shortly after warnings expired. Department of Aviation Public Affairs Manager Heather Redfern said regional storms like this can have a ripple effect around the country.
Power outages affected tens of thousands. Early Monday figures included 8,864 PECO customers; 17,423 Delmarva Power customers in Delaware; 3,159 PSE&G customers; and 53,637 Atlantic City Electric customers. Additional early reports listed 611 outages for PPL Electric Utilities; 4,911 PECO customers across 133 outages; 19,148 Delmarva customers across 499 outages; 1,902 PSE&G outages; and 23,303 Atlantic City Electric customers across 1,090 active outages. By Monday evening, PPL reported 184 customers affected in Lehigh and Berks counties; PECO 1,351 customers across 136 outages; Atlantic City Electric 49,510 customers across 3,001 outages; and Delmarva 689 customers across 113 outages. Atlantic City Electric said more than 112,000 customers lost power during the storm. As of 4 p.m., about half had been restored. Approximately 55,000 customers remained without power, primarily in Cape May and Atlantic counties. The company said many would have service restored by Tuesday and “the majority of customers” by Thursday, with heavily damaged areas potentially requiring work until Saturday.
In Camden, a water main break at 9th and Jefferson streets led to a boil water advisory Sunday night affecting about 3,700 households. The advisory covered customers south of Ferry Avenue through Collings Road, including Fairview, Morgan Village, Centerville, and a small portion of Waterfront South. Residents were instructed to discard uncooked food or beverages made with tap water during the advisory, refrigerate boiled water for drinking, avoid swallowing water while showering, rinse hand-washed dishes with a diluted bleach solution of one tablespoon per gallon, avoid using home filtering devices in place of boiling or bottled water, use boiled water to treat minor injuries and provide pets with boiled and cooled water. Repairs were completed, and crews began flushing the system, though sampling could take 48 to 72 hours. The advisory remained in effect until further notice.
Schools across the Delaware Valley closed or moved to remote learning. The School District of Philadelphia held virtual learning on Monday and Tuesday. Philadelphia public and archdiocesan schools were virtual on Tuesday. Archdiocesan high schools and elementary schools in the city held remote learning on Tuesday, and suburban archdiocesan schools followed local public school decisions. The Community College of Philadelphia closed Monday, canceling classes and activities except for 7A online and hybrid courses.
Trash and recycling collections in Philadelphia were suspended for two days. Monday collections were rescheduled for Wednesday, Tuesday collections for Thursday, and the remainder of the week operated two days behind schedule. Rear driveway collections were suspended, and second-day trash collection was suspended for the week.
