Flights have been cancelled and some airports closed in preparation for the this year's biggest snowstorm, which is set to hit a third of the U.S. in the next two days.
This month's snowstorm, dubbed the Winter Storm Hercules, will bring up to 1.5 feet of snow to some areas tomorrow. Over 100 million Americans across the Midwest and Northwest will be affected by the snowpocalypse. Record low temperatures expected to affect the country.
Weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce stated: "Winter Storm Hercules is on the move from the Midwest into the Northeast. The Northeast I-95 corridor will feel the worst impacts from Hercules Thursday evening into Friday morning. Gusty winds will combine with the snow to produce poor visibility and dangerous travel conditions. Localized blizzard conditions are possible on Long Island and in coastal parts of southeast Massachusetts."
See an interactive live map by the Weather Channel here.
In Canada, the city of Winnipeg reported record low temperatures of -31C, which is colder than planet Mars. Wind chill temperatures are expected to feel like -40C.
The storm is expected to move in quite slowly. Snow fall and wind will make it feel more like a blizzard.
Weather Channel's Michael Palmer stated: "The wind is going to whip around the snow and reduce the visibility, creating near-blizzard conditions in Boston, much of Connecticut and then down maybe as far south as New Jersey and even New York City."
Residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid the roads, as the layer of ice will make driving conditions extremely dangerous.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned: "We are telling people prepare for road closings and take mass transit."
Around five to eight inches of snow is expected for New York by Friday.
A winter storm warning has been issued for NYC and sourthern NY state by the National Weather Service:
Heavy snow, strong winds and dangerously cold wind chills expected tonight into Friday afternoon.
Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 6 pm this evening to 1 pm EST Friday.
- Locations: New York City, Northeast New Jersey and Southern Westchester County.
- Hazard types: snow and blowing snow.
- Accumulations: snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches.
- Winds: north 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
- Wind chills, zero to 5 below zero on Friday, and as low as near 15 below zero in the higher elevations of interior Northeast New Jersey.
- Visibilities: one quarter mile or less at times.
- Temperatures: in the 20s to lower 30s today, then falling through the 20s tonight and into the teens late tonight into Friday.
- Timing: occasional light snow, light freezing rain or freezing drizzle today will become a steady wind driven heavy snowfall tonight into Friday morning.
- Impacts: Light wintry precipitation could cause Transportation Impacts during the morning rush hour today. Heavy snowfall, and blowing and drifting of powdery snow tonight into Friday will create dangerous travel conditions and could impact Snow Plowing operations. Wind chills below zero could lead to frostbite or hypothermia for anyone exposed to the cold.
