{ "number": 878, "headline": "February 21, 2026 Blockbuster Blizzard Warning", "standfirst": "Heavy snowfall and near hurricane forecast wind gusts for large swath of coastline", "desk": "tropics", "dateline": { "place": "Weather Trader", "state": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "site_key": null, "site_name": null, "site_url": null, "accent": null }, "edition": "2026-02-21", "published": "2026-02-21T15:32:39.551000Z", "updated": null, "access": "free", "body_html": "
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Saturday Top Headline: Blockbuster Blizzard!

National Weather Service has pushed the buttons for \u201cblizzard warnings\u201d including New York City with upwards of 18\u201d of snowfall and winds gusting 40 - 60 mph.

This is post number 878: Good Morning! Day 52 of 2026.

Author: Dr. Ryan Maue (X @RyanMaue X @weathertrader)

Weather Trader is an entirely reader-supported publication into its 3rd year. To receive all new posts daily via email or the Substack App, and support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber \u2014 ALL content is generated by Ryan (not A.I.) including the maps. Coupon code for upgrade to annual subscriptions.

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Blend of Models Snowfall

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This is a good summary of what the \u201cweather models\u2019 are saying for this event when averaged and adjusted for snow/liquid content. Blockbuster is apt description!

Blizzard Warnings for New York City and Long Island and along the Connecticut coast with the strongest winds. Winter storm warnings another county or two inlands.

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Blizzard warnings for the New Jersey coastline including Atlantic City. Winter storm warning for Philadelphia, Trenton, and Dover.

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Winter storm watch \u2014 not quite within the warning window for Boston, but expect Winter Storm warnings for much of Massachusetts and extension of the Blizzard Warning for Newport to the Cape.

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All Time HRRR 12z Model Run for \u201cBlockbuster Blizzard\u201d

The model depiction is a \u201cWinter Hurricane\u201d with a tightly wound center of circulation \u2014 which will look like a serpentine coil on satellite imagery Monday morning.

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Wind gusts from HRRR are extreme \u2014 higher than NWS forecasts right now.

Coastal wind gusts near hurricane force are possible as well as New York City and Boston.

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HRRR Maximum Wind Gusts through Monday morning (7 AM ET)

A lot of 60+ mph gusts along the entire coast!

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Central Pressure will still be dropping Monday morning \u2014 972 mb at end of HRRR model.

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Total snowfall from HRRR \u2014 not complete for entire event \u2014 through 48-hours, but the jackpot zone of 25\u201d to 27\u201d in southern New Jersey looks legitimate!

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Official National Weather Service Forecast | Snowfall next 72-hours (entire blizzard)

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New York City: 15\u201d Philadelphia: 13\u201d to 15\u201d

Boston: 14\u201d Long Island: 18\u201d to 21\u201d

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Washington D.C. only 3\u201d to 5\u201d due to warmer air.

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NDFD NWS Total Precipitation Next 72-hours

The total QPF or liquid moisture content that will fall out as snowfall is in the 1.7\u201d to 2\u201d range \u2014 and 10:1 ratios would be 17\u201d to 20\u201d of snowfall across a large area.

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1.3\u201d to 1.5\u201d QPF in New York City

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Boston: 1.2\u201d to 1.5\u201d QPF

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Also, heavy rain (and snow) in the Pacific Northwest

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High Temperatures on Saturday

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Today\u2019s Weather \u2014 Radar Simulation Next 18-hours

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ECMWF 06z Precipitation Type + Intensity | Next 6-days

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More storms on the way across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast into late next week, but looks warmer for the big cities \u2026 and heaviest snow will be in Canada and northern New England.

Eastern U.S. Next 6-days storm systems | ECMWF 18z

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Western U.S. Storm Systems \u2014 next 6-days

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Blend of Models | 7 Days Precipitation Total

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Blend of Models | Total Snowfall Next 7-Days

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Temperature Anomaly Next 15-days | ECMWF EPS 00z Ensemble Mean

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Temperature Anomaly | Next 15-days | ECMWF EPS 00z

5-Day Chunk #1 | Temperature Anomaly | Feb 21 - Feb 25

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5-Day Chunk #2 | Temperature Anomaly | Feb 26 - March 2

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5-Day Chunk #3 | Temperature Anomaly | March 3 - March 7

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Maps sourced from weathermodels.com designed and innovated by yours truly! Please subscribe there for real-time access to the newest maps, charts from all of the weather models including ECMWF and AIFS, and NOAA GFS/GEFS.

", "body_key": null, "teaser_html": "

Saturday Top Headline: Blockbuster Blizzard!

National Weather Service has pushed the buttons for \u201cblizzard warnings\u201d including New York City with upwards of 18\u201d of snowfall and winds gusting 40 - 60 mph.

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