Blizzard warnings cascade across East Coast as winter storm hits

"Snow began falling in New Jersey and New York as the storm moved northward. The National Weather Service said 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snow was possible in many areas, along with heavy winds. Visibility in many areas was expected to be a quarter-mile (400 meters) or less. Officials throughout the region urged residents to avoid travel."

""It's been a while since we've had a major nor'easter and major blizzard of this magnitude across the Northeast," said Cody Snell, a meteorologist at the service's Weather Prediction Center. "This is definitely a major winter storm and a major impact for this part of the country." The weather service issued blizzard warnings for New York City and Long Island, Boston and coastal communities in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts."

A powerful nor'easter moved into the Northeastern United States, bringing snowfall to New Jersey and New York and threatening heavy accumulations across the region. The National Weather Service forecast 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) of snow in many areas, accompanied by strong winds and visibility reduced to a quarter-mile (400 meters) or less. Blizzard warnings extended from Maryland to Massachusetts, and state emergency declarations and travel bans were issued in multiple states. Regional airports and services canceled operations, Broadway shows were suspended, and officials urged residents to avoid travel as snow rates reached up to 2 inches per hour.

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