A major blizzard is set to hit the US East Coast, the first time in four years. The powerful storm sweeping up the East Coast on Saturday is threatening to bury parts of 10 states under deep snow.
The storm known as a Nor'easter, will blanket the Boston area with up to 2ft (61cm) of snow. The current record of 27.6in (70cm) within 24 hours was set in 2003.
The storm is forecast to stretch from the Carolinas to Maine, packing hurricane-force winds in coastal parts. Five states have declared emergencies.
Furiously falling snow accompanied by coastal flooding and high winds could cut power and leave people shivering in the cold weather expected to follow.
Over 5,000 US flights were cancelled between Friday and Sunday, according to FlightAware.
Experts say the storm will undergo bombogenesis, meaning that colder air is expected to mix with warmer sea air, leading to a swift drop in atmospheric pressure. The process leads to a so-called bomb cyclone.
The powerful storm began to hit the country's coast in the early hours of Saturday morning, with snowfall already reported in several states.
Winds are expected to strengthen, possibly reaching hurricane-level speeds, according to the NWS and Accuweather. A blizzard warning has been issued throughout the north-east, the first time such an alert has been issued since 2018.
The governors of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia declared states of emergency, telling residents to stay off the roads for their own safety.
75 million people are in the path of the storm, according to CBS News.
New York Mayor Eric Adams cancelled outdoor dining for Saturday, as well as vaccine appointments.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul suggested that residents stay home "with a six pack of beer and wait it out".
Florida is also expected to see some of its coldest temperatures in years, leading to iguanas - a cold-blooded lizard species - to become immobilised and fall out of trees.
Rhode Island, all of which was under a blizzard warning, banned all nonemergency road travel starting at 8 a.m.
“This is serious. We’re ready for this storm, and we also need Rhode Islanders to be ready,” Gov. Dan McKee said. “The best way to handle this storm is to stay home tomorrow.”
Parts of 10 states were under blizzard warnings: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
Coastal New Jersey was forecast to get as much as 18 inches (46 centimeters) of snow and eastern Long Island up to 17 inches (43 centimeters). Philadelphia, New York City, and parts of the Delmarva Peninsula in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia could get 10 inches (25 centimeters) or more.
Washington and Baltimore were forecast to be spared the worst of the snowfall, with only 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 8 centimeters) and 5 inches (13 centimeters), respectively.
-BBC, AP