The Nor’easter winter storm has turned into a ‘blizzard bomb,’ as the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions in the U.S. saw upwards of 20 inches of snow from Sunday evening into Monday morning.

Original weather forecasts predicted a severe drop in temperatures, and as winds shifted over the weekend, states touching the Atlantic Ocean were blanketed with unprecedented snowfall. The major storm has caused power outages and restricted or canceled travel. New York City banned all car travel on Monday morning. Millions are expected to be sheltering in place, as three inches of snow are likely to fall per hour, according to national news networks.

The high wind alerts are expected to turn into hurricane-force winds, further limiting mobility and increasing safety risks. Temperatures across New England are expected to remain below freezing until the end of the week, prolonging the presence of snow and limiting mobility for several days.  

Additionally, the lower southeast region of the country is exhibiting freeze warnings through the end of the day on Tuesday. Parts of Florida are expected to see temperatures below freezing, which could leave residents at risk of hypothermia with prolonged exposure to the elements.

This is the second major winter storm to impact the East Coast in a month. Southeastern states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi experienced heavy snow and crippling cold temperatures that suspended typical business operations for nearly 10 days from the end of January through the first week of February.

Direct Relief staff are monitoring current U.S. storms and will respond to any medical requests that become known. The organization has responded to several winter storms so far in 2026, including Winter Storm Fern, and the organization responded by providing chronic disease medications, over-the-counter medications, and personal care products for displaced people to health organizations in Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, and Maryland.