The Blizzard of 2026 in New York City, Tri-State area

NJ Transit rail service will be suspended at 9 p.m.

In addition, the agency previously announced bus, light rail and access link services will be suspended beginning at 6 p.m.

A travel ban will also take effect at 9 p.m. Sunday, and end 7 a.m. on Monday.

Travel Restriction Details:

-All non-exempt vehicles are prohibited from operating on state, county, municipal, and interstate roadways during this period.
-The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.
-Violators may face penalties under state law.

Exemptions:

The travel restriction does not apply to:
- Emergency and public safety vehicles and personnel
- Public works and snow removal crews
- Public transportation vehicles and personnel
- Government officials conducting official business
- Utility company vehicles and personnel
- Healthcare workers and urgent medical travel
- Personnel supporting emergency shelter operations and human services facilities
- Delivery of critical medical supplies and services to healthcare facilities
- News media
- Private snow removal contractors
- Patients seeking urgent critical care and their escorts
- Travel necessary to maintain critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, fuel, food, pharmacies, and hardware stores
- Personnel supporting airline and airport operations

Governor Kathy Hochul warned residents Sunday afternoon that what New York is experiencing now is the "calm before the storm," and that "the worst is yet to come."

"Lives are at stake," Hochul said, warning that New York City may experience the "top ten worst winter storms in the last 150 years."

The Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island are expected to receive wet snow, which has the ability to take down power lines.

"Long Island and New York City and lower Hudson Valley are literally in the direct eye of the storm," Hochul said.

Local bans will be going into effect Sunday night, all of Long Island will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. starting Sunday night, Westchester County for 9 p.m. to 10 a.m., and New York City 9 p.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, the governor said.

When it comes to New York City subway service, the governor warned to "expect some disruptions." Subways are still expected to run, and trains will run locally.

Metro-North will run on a weekend schedule, and the LIRR will be suspected at 1 a.m. tonight.

"There is no way these predictions are wrong. It is coming, and it's going to be hard felt," the governor said.

The LIRR will temporarily suspend all service starting at 1:00 a.m. until weather conditions allow for safe resumption.

Officials said the suspension allows crews to focus on snow-clearing efforts from the blizzard, which includes projected extreme velocity winds on eastern Long Island, to provide safe and reliable service when possible.

Starting at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, service will be reduced to hourly on the Port Jefferson, Port Washington branches, and half-hourly on the Babylon Branch.

New Jersey will temporarily lower all posted speed limits to 35 miles per hour on Interstate and State highways starting at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The speed limit reduction applies to:

All Interstate highways in New Jersey
All U.S. and State highways in New Jersey
The New Jersey Turnpike
The Garden State Parkway
The Atlantic City Expressway