Weather & Science

Another Cold Blast to Grip Northeast, Testing Power Demand

People look at the New York skyline from Weehawken, New Jersey on Feb. 1. — People look at the New York skyline from Weehawken, New Jersey on Feb. 1.
Photographer: Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Brian K Sullivan and Naureen S Malik

February 5, 2026 at 2:09 PM UTC

Updated on

February 5, 2026 at 5:02 PM UTC

The US Northeast, including New York City, will get a brief touch of snow this weekend before a frigid blast of arctic air pushes through the region, leaving winter-weary residents shivering and putting additional stress on power grids and energy prices.

New York’s Central Park could see about a 0.5 inch (1 centimeter) of new snow late Friday before winds rise and the cold descends through the weekend, with conditions that could bring on frostbite in minutes.