Historic “Bomb Cyclone” Halts New Jersey: Travel Bans, Transit Suspensions, and Live Blizzard Updates

New Jersey woke up buried today (23 February 2026), and the culprit is a rare weather event called a “Bomb Cyclone” a storm so intense it dropped pressure rapidly overnight and exploded into a full-blown blizzard. All 21 counties are under a Blizzard Warning for the first time in roughly 30 years, with snowfall topping 18 inches in some spots and wind gusts howling at 50 mph.

Governor Mikie Sherrill has declared a State of Emergency, and the entire state is essentially on pause. Here is your complete, up-to-date breakdown of everything happening right now so you can stay safe, informed, and prepared.

The Statewide Travel Ban: Roads Are Off-Limits

Imagine stepping outside and not being able to tell where the road ends and the sidewalk begins — that is exactly what drivers across New Jersey are facing right now. Governor Mikie Sherrill issued a mandatory travel ban starting at 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, making it illegal for non-essential vehicles to use state, county, municipal, and interstate roads.

The ban was extended through at least noon on Monday, February 23, because conditions simply refused to improve. Whiteout visibility, drifting snow, and icy patches made even short trips genuinely dangerous.

Speed limits on major roads — including the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway — were slashed to 35 mph.

Emergency crews and snowplows need clear roads to do their jobs effectively. Staying home is not just a suggestion right now; it is the law.

Check the NJ Office of Emergency Management for real-time updates before making any plans to head outside.

NJ Transit Completely Shuts Down

Commuters who rely on NJ Transit every single day got a jarring wake-up call this Monday morning: every single service is suspended. Buses, light rail, Access Link paratransit, and even train lines all went dark — buses and light rail cut off at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, with rail service halting by 9:00 p.m. the same evening.

PATH Train riders between Newark and Journal Square also lost service entirely, while other PATH lines ran on modified or delayed schedules. NJ Transit officials said they are continuously assessing storm conditions before any phased return to operations begins.

There is no confirmed restart time yet.

If your job or school had not already reached out with a cancellation notice, now is a good moment to check your email or your organization’s website. Trying to find alternative transportation during an active blizzard warning is risky and strongly discouraged by state officials until the all-clear is given.

Power Outages Climbing Across the State

Around 138,000 homes and businesses lost power by 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 23 — and that number kept climbing as wet, heavy snow dragged down tree limbs and snapped power lines across the state.

Utility companies including JCP&L, PSE&G, and Atlantic City Electric are scrambling to restore service, but the brutal wind gusts and icy roads are slowing repair crews significantly.

If your lights go out, report the outage directly through your provider’s app or website. Each company maintains a live outage map where you can track restoration estimates for your specific neighborhood.

Do not assume someone else already reported it — every call helps crews prioritize the hardest-hit areas faster.

Keep your phone charged using a power bank. If you must charge using your car, make absolutely sure the vehicle is parked outside with the tailpipe completely clear of snow to prevent deadly carbon monoxide buildup.

Safety first, always — no exceptions during a storm this serious.

What the National Weather Service Is Saying

Meteorologists have been tracking this bomb cyclone closely, and their updates are sobering. The National Weather Service confirmed blizzard warnings for all 21 New Jersey counties — a combination of heavy snowfall AND sustained winds above 35 mph that reduces visibility to near zero.

That trifecta of conditions is what officially earns the “blizzard” label, and this storm checked every single box.

Total accumulations in the hardest-hit northern and coastal regions could reach 24 inches before the storm wraps up. The heaviest snowfall was expected to taper off by early afternoon Monday, but forecasters warned that blowing snow, dangerous wind chills, and icy conditions would persist well into Monday evening.

Wind gusts topping 50 mph are not just uncomfortable — they can flip vehicles, knock out additional power infrastructure, and make shoveling genuinely hazardous. The NWS strongly recommends checking weather.gov frequently for hour-by-hour updates specific to your county throughout the remainder of the storm.

How to Stay Safe Until the Storm Passes

Surviving a blizzard like a seasoned New Jerseyan means being prepared before the storm peaks, not scrambling after it. Stock up on essentials: bottled water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, and extra batteries.

A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is surprisingly valuable when cell towers get overloaded and internet connections drop.

Keep your emergency contacts list somewhere physical — written on paper — in case your phone dies. Check on elderly neighbors or anyone in your building who might need help.

Community matters most when conditions outside turn dangerous, and a quick knock on a neighbor’s door could genuinely make a difference for someone vulnerable.

Once the storm eases, shovel carefully and take breaks often. Heart attacks during snow removal spike dramatically after major storms, particularly among adults over 40.

If you park on a Hoboken or Jersey City street and spend hours digging out your spot, New Jersey tradition says a lawn chair absolutely holds your place. Stay warm out there.