The Blizzard of 2026: Behind the Forecast

One week after the Blizzard of 2026 buried parts of the Northeast under more than three feet of snow, we’re going behind the forecast. On this episode of Off the Radar, Emily Gracey sits down with fellow meteorologists Joe Martucci and Chris Gloninger to break down the science and strategy behind one of the most impactful winter storms of the season. From the early model signals to the moment confidence surged, they walk through how the forecast evolved as the bomb cyclone rapidly intensified. Joe and Chris also share what it was like to predict a major storm while living in the communities directly in its path, the biggest challenges they faced communicating impacts, and what made this blizzard stand out from others in recent memory. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, data, and real-world experience that shaped the forecast for the Blizzard of 2026.