WATCH ABOVE: Meteorologist Ross Hull gives us an update on the nor’easter sweeping over the American northeast and Atlantic Canada.
LATEST UPDATES
- More than 6,500 flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday cancelled
- More than 35 million people are under a blizzard warning
- Up to 90 cm of snow headed for Northeast U.S.
- Atlantic Canada to get 15 to 30 cm of snow
TORONTO – A potentially historic snowstorm could dump 30 to 90 centimetres of snow on a large part of the U.S. Northeast, while parts of the Maritimes could get a big blast of snow starting Monday night.
As of Monday evening more than 6,500 flights were cancelled or delayed along the U.S. eastern seaboard ahead of the nor’easter, the Associated Press reported.
WATCH: Global News Weather reporter Nicole Mortillaro looks at how this historic storm formed.
LIVE BLOG: Eastern U.S., Canada preparing for potentially dangerous blizzard
According to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), more than 35 million people are under a blizzard warning — stretching from New Jersey through Massachusetts and into Maine.
The storm promised treacherous travel by both land and air throughout the busy northeast corridor.
In New York City, crews were busy preparing plows and salting machines ahead of the “potentially historic” blizzard.
“It’s going to be ridiculous out there, frightening,” said postal deliveryman Peter Hovey, standing on a snowy commuter train platform in White Plains, New York.
READ MORE: Images of ‘historic’ storm bearing down on U.S. Northeast
All too aware that big snowstorms can make or break politicians, governors and mayors moved quickly to declare emergencies and order the shutdown of streets and highways to prevent travelers from getting stranded and to enable plows and emergency vehicles to get through.
“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. “Don’t underestimate this storm. Prepare for the worst.”
New York City’s subways and buses planned to shut down completely by 11 p.m., Commuter railroads across the Northeast also announced plans to stop running overnight.
VIDEO GALLERY:
Authorities also banned travel on all streets and highways in New York City and Long Island and warned that violators could be fined $300.
Snowfall totals of one to three feet will occur in New York City and into southern and eastern New England states, according to NWS.
Cities mobilized snowplows and salt spreaders to deal with a dangerously windy blast that could instantly make up for what has been a largely snow-free winter in the urban Northeast.
IN PHOTOS: Blizzard begins to hit New York City and Boston
In Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker warned residents to prepare for roads that are “very hard, if not impossible, to navigate,” power outages and possibly even a lack of public transportation.
Boston is expected to get 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches) of snow, with up to 2 feet or more west of the city, and Philadelphia could see up to 30 cm (one foot), the weather service said.
Boston’s Logan International Airport said there would be no flights after 7 p.m. Monday, and did not expect to resume flights until late Wednesday.
Governor Dannel Malloy issued a travel ban for the entire state of Connecticut, beginning Monday night.
READ MORE: Airlines cancel thousands of flights ahead of Northeast snow
During a lunch hour press conference, Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency in New Jersey ahead of the “significant storm”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also declared a state of emergency.
Cuomo said the New York City subway system will run on schedule until 7 p.m. Monday night, then it will be reduced to limited service. He asked for New Yorkers to leave work early if possible.
During an afternoon press conference, De Blasio ordered all non-emergency vehicles off city streets by 11 p.m. The mayor said 1,800 plows have been deployed and schools ordered closed Tuesday.
“We have to take every conceivable measures to protect the people of this city,” De Blasio said. “If it’s not an emergency, you cannot be on the roads after 11 p.m.”
Many residents flocked to stores over the weekend to stock up on snow removal equipment, groceries and supplies prior to the arrival for the storm.
Sports
The NBA postponed the game between Brooklyn Nets and the Portland Trail Blazers as well as the the New York Knicks game against the Sacramento Kings, due to the impending storm.
The Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots expected to be out of town by the time the storm arrived in Boston. The team plans to leave Logan Airport at 12:30 p.m. Monday for Phoenix, according to the Associated Press.
The Maritimes
Environment Canada issued winter storm warnings for much of the east coast, as the nor’easter tracks up the coastline.
General snowfall amounts of 15 to 30 cm are expected for much of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick overnight and into Tuesday, while P.E.I. is expected to get 15 to 25 cm, according to the national weather service.
READ MORE: Heavy snowfall, blizzard conditions for Maritimes, forecasters warn
Winter storm watches were issued for a large portion of southern Quebec, while snow squall warnings were issued for a small portion of the Greater Toronto Area.
Travel advisories have been issued for the Atlantic provinces, warning of flight delays and cancellations.
About 75 flights in and out of Toronto Pearson International Airport have been cancelled as a result of the approaching weather system.
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