Blizzard Conditions Prompt Atlantic City Closures, NJ Travel Restrictions as Major Snowstorm Hits South Jersey
State and local officials warn of dangerous travel, transit shutdowns and coastal flooding as a powerful winter storm brings heavy snow and high winds to Atlantic City and communities across New Jersey from Sunday into Monday.
ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City officials urged residents to prepare for “blizzard-like conditions” as a powerful winter storm was forecast to move in Sunday evening, Feb. 22, 2026, and continue into Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 — bringing heavy snow, damaging wind gusts, and coastal flooding concerns.
At a City Hall briefing, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said the city expected “probably twice if not three times” the snowfall of last month’s storm and announced a local state of emergency.
"Please take this storm seriously," Mayor Small said. "There will be blizzard-like conditions so stay off the roads."
The mayor also warned residents to keep vehicles off streets so plows and emergency responders can operate, explaining that cars would be towed.
"We're not just telling you this, we're providing options," Mayor Small said. The city arranged for safe parking options at the Wave parking garage on Fairmont Avenue and at the Showboat parking garage.
"So that should tell you something about the intensity of this storm. Not only do we have one garage available, we have two," Mayor Small said. "Take your cars to higher ground."
Mark Tyler
On Monday, February 23, 2026, officials said that residents and visitors who had their cars towed, could retrieve them free of charge at Bader Field, provided they could show proof of ownership.
AccuWeather Predictions
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist, Bill Deger, said this snow has met or exceeded predictions.
"It is a mess," Deger said.
AccuWeather predicted 12-18 inches of snow for the Atlantic City area.
"I think we'll see closer to 18 inches by the time it's done," Deger said. In addition to heavy snow accumulation, the area had experienced wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour blowing and drifting snow. Deger said heavy snow would be expected until late afternoon on Monday.
"This blizzard certainly has been living up to the hype," Deger said.
City Closures and Local Safety Measures
City officials announced that City Hall and other Atlantic City municipal buildings would be closed to non-essential employees Monday, Feb. 23,2026 with additional closure information to be shared through AC Alerts and city communication channels. A city notice also stated City Hall would remain closed Tuesday, Feb. 24,2026.
Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Evans compared the forecast to the 2016 “Jonas” storm, describing it as a “triple threat” of heavy snow, high winds and coastal flooding. Evans said Atlantic City was under blizzard and winter storm warnings and could see widespread snow drifts, limited visibility, and hazardous conditions.
Police Chief James Sarkos said the Atlantic City Police Department would enforce the city’s snow emergency parking plan, including towing on designated emergency routes to allow curb-to-curb plowing.
Sarkos also urged drivers to stay off roads unless absolutely necessary, and reminded motorists to fully clear snow and ice from vehicle roofs, lights, mirrors and windshields before traveling.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. La'Quetta S. Small said schools also would be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026, and February 24, 2026.
“The safety of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority. Due to the severe winter storm and hazardous travel conditions, Atlantic City Public Schools will be closed," Dr. Small said. "We urge our families to remain indoors, follow all safety guidance from local and state officials, and stay safe.”
State Action: Reduced Speeds and Travel Restrictions
State transportation officials also announced statewide measures aimed at keeping roadways clear for plows and emergency vehicles.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation issued an Emergency Traffic Regulation Order lowering speed limits to 35 mph on interstate and state highways beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, including the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway. The order was issued after Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a statewide State of Emergency due to forecasts calling for heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions.
NJDOT also noted a commercial vehicle travel restriction beginning Sunday afternoon, covering multiple interstates and routes, and applying to tractor trailers (with exceptions), empty CDL-weight trucks, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles and motorcycles.
In addition, a state travel-restriction notice shared with residents said non-exempt vehicles would be prohibited from operating on state, county, municipal, and interstate roadways from 9 p.m. Sunday until 7 a.m. Monday, with exemptions for emergency response, public works, transit, utilities, healthcare workers, certain essential deliveries, and other critical operations. That restriction was laterextended until noon on Monday.
NJ TRANSIT: bus/light rail suspended at 6 p.m.; rail by 9 p.m.
NJ TRANSIT announced major service disruptions Sunday night due to forecasted accumulations statewide.
- All bus, light rail and Access Link service was scheduled to be suspended at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22., 2026
- Rail service statewide was scheduled to be suspended by 9 p.m., with some final trips ending earlier depending on the line.
- For the Atlantic City Rail Line, NJ TRANSIT listed the last trains as Train 4682 departing Atlantic City at 5:21 p.m. to Philadelphia and Train 4687 departing Philadelphia at 7:50 p.m. to Atlantic City. NJ
NJ TRANSIT said it would assess conditions overnight into Monday to determine when service could safely resume and urged riders to monitor njtransit.com, the mobile app, and service alerts for updates.
Public Health Advisory: Restaurants Urged to Plan for Outages
With wind gusts expected to exceed 45–50 mph and power outages possible, the Atlantic City Health Department issued a winter storm/blizzard advisory offering food-safety guidance for restaurants without emergency generators.
Among the key recommendations:
- Keep refrigerators at 41°F or below and freezers at 0°F or below before the storm.
- During a power outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed and monitor temperatures.
- Refrigerated perishable foods may be safe for about 4 hours if held at or below 41°F; a full freezer may hold safe temps up to 48 hours if unopened.
- If safety can’t be verified, discard questionable items — “When in doubt, throw it out.”
What Residents Should Do Now
Local and state officials repeated the same core message: stay off the roads unless travel is essential, and use the remaining window before conditions deteriorate to prepare.
Atlantic City officials urged residents to:
- Sign up for AC Alerts and monitor city channels for updates.
- Move cars off snow emergency routes and into available garages when possible.
- Stock up on essential medications, blankets, chargers, and nonperishable food in case power is interrupted.
As Evans put it during the briefing, hazardous conditions can become deceptive quickly when snow covers flooded streets and visibility drops — making it hard to tell where the roadway ends and standing water or ice begins. Residents who know someone who may need help during the storm were encouraged to contact city communications at 609-347-5780.
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