A “potentially historic” blizzard could dump from 60cm to 90cm of snow on a large part of the northeast US, crippling a region that has largely been spared so far this winter, the US National Weather Service said. More than 1,500 canceled flights were expected.
A blizzard warning was issued for New York and Boston, and the National Weather Service said the storm would bring heavy snow and powerful winds starting yesterday into today.
“This could be a storm the likes of which we have never seen before,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference.
De Blasio held up a piece of paper showing the city’s top 10 snowstorms and said this one could land at the top of a list that goes back to 1872, including the 68.3cm that fell in 2006.
“Don’t underestimate this storm. Prepare for the worst,” he said as he urged residents to plan to leave work early yesterday.
About 1,700 flights scheduled for yesterday were expected to be canceled, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. The storm promised treacherous travel by both land and air throughout the northeast corridor.
Boston was expected to get from 45 to 60cm of snow, and Philadelphia could see from 35 to 45cm, the weather service said. The Washington area was expected to get a coating or a bit more.
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