The busy Northeast corridor was walloped with snow and ice from northern New Jersey to Main Monday night through this morning.
All airline flights from Dayton to Philadelphia, Boston and New York have been cancelled from the Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati airports today.
Airlines canceled about 7,700 flights Monday and today because of the storm, mostly involving airports from Washington, D.C., to Boston. Boston’s Logan Airport and Rhode Island’s T.F. Green were closed Monday evening and no flights were expected to land or take off at either airport today.
Here’s what else you need to know about the storm
THE STORM
The nor’easter was predicted to strengthen off the southern New England coast. Snow was expected to intensify and become heavy beginning Monday night in Boston and early this morning in Maine.
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SNOWSTORM VS. BLIZZARD: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for a huge swath of the region, meaning potential whiteout conditions as heavy snow swirls amid gusting wind. The weather service says a blizzard includes sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or greater and considerable falling snow that lasts for at least three hours. The storm’s intensity was downgraded for some major cities early today.
ON THE RAILS
Amtrak has announced that it would suspend rail service in the New England region and modify service between New York and Washington today.
BIG CITY TRANSIT
In the Boston area, officials halted all MBTA transit service at midnight. In New York, subway service ended Monday night. New Jersey Transit also shut down late Monday; its train service may not be back until Thursday.
NEW YORK
Ten to 20 inches of snow was predicted, with the heaviest snow falling from about midnight Monday through this afternoon. About half the flights Monday at the region’s three major airports were canceled. New York City streets were only available to emergency vehicles starting late Monday, when the subway system shut down. All Broadway theaters were closed.
BOSTON
About 2 feet of snow was forecast for the city and its suburbs, with some locally higher amounts. Near-hurricane force winds were predicted for Cape Cod and the nearby islands. Gov. Charlie Baker banned all non-essential motor vehicle travel beginning at midnight and said 500 National Guard members were on standby.
NEW JERSEY
The central part of the state was expected to get about six inches of snow and coastal areas about a foot. Gov. Chris Christie asked people to stay home and only go out if there is an “absolute necessity.” Flooding at the shore was a concern.
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
About 1 to 2 feet of snow was predicted. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered a travel ban beginning at 9 p.m. Monday.
RHODE ISLAND
Gov. Gina Raimondo told Rhode Island residents to prepare for 2 to 3 feet of snow and expect to potentially be without power for days. Travel was banned indefinitely on all roads starting at midnight, and three major bridges were shut down. Officials repeatedly urged people to not only stay off the roads but stay indoors. “Stay in your house until you hear otherwise,” Raimondo said. State government, including the court system, was closed today, several cities and towns declared parking bans and public transit bus service was suspended.
MAINE
Gov. Paul LePage declared a state of emergency and announced that all state offices would be closed today. LePage cited the forecast for winter storm and blizzard conditions, as well as the potential coastal flooding in southwest Maine.
PHILADELPHIA
About six inches was expected. Public and Catholic schools were closed today, along with city offices. Mayor Michael Nutter ordered motorists to remove their vehicles from the city’s designated snow emergency routes.
WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE
Washington, D.C., and Baltimore were expected to each get up to 3 inches of snow. The U.S. House postponed votes scheduled for Monday night through this afternoon.
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