The biggest storm to hit the Northeast this winter pushed its way up the Philadelphia-to-Boston corridor with a potential for more than a foot of snow in places Thursday, making for a slippery morning commute and giving millions of people weather whiplash a day after temperatures soared into the 50s and 60s.
Scores of accidents were reported as drivers confronted windblown snow and slick highways. More than 3,500 flights were canceled, and all planes in and out of New York's Kennedy Airport were ordered held on the ground while crews cleared the runways.
Schools were closed in most places, including New York City, Philadelphia and Boston, and government offices from the Philadelphia area to southern New England told most nonessential workers to stay home.
A doorman in New York City died after falling through a window while shoveling snow, police said. He suffered cuts on his face and neck.
The National Weather Service said the Boston area and eastern Maine could get 12 to 18 inches of snow, and a blizzard warning was issued for New York's Long Island. New York City could see 8 to 12 inches and the Philadelphia area 4 to 8 inches.
Forecasters also warned of high winds, coastal flooding and possible power outages.
"This is a pretty nasty storm. We're doing our best to stay on top of it," Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said.
Governors throughout the region urged people to stay off the roads to keep them clear for plows and emergency vehicles.
By midmorning, Connecticut state police responded to about 30 accidents, and New Jersey's emergency management office recorded about 50. No serious injuries were reported.
Bundled-up commuters in New York City carefully navigated snow-covered sidewalks. Blowing snow stung any exposed skin.
Sam Lopresti, of Jersey City, N.J., warm and dry in his workplace, said he was pleasantly surprised that his early-morning train trip into New York City had gone smoothly.
"I fully expected the MTA and PATH to curl into a ball and say, 'Don't hurt me!' " joked Lopresti, an actor and barista.
The storm came a day after much of the Northeast enjoyed a brief glimpse of spring, with record-breaking highs in some places. Temperatures then crashed more than 30 degrees as the storm rolled in.
The snow was expected to taper off by early afternoon in the Philadelphia and New York City areas, while New Englanders braced for snowfall through the evening commute.
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After an unusually bitter confirmation battle, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. L.A.'s City Council agreed to pay $1.5-million to the family of Ezell Ford. Welcome to the new Ikea. ICYMI: It's huge! California's emergency drought rules will be staying in place -- at least for the near future.
After an unusually bitter confirmation battle, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. L.A.'s City Council agreed to pay $1.5-million to the family of Ezell Ford. Welcome to the new Ikea. ICYMI: It's huge! California's emergency drought rules will be staying in place -- at least for the near future.
After an unusually bitter confirmation battle, Jeff Sessions was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. L.A.'s City Council agreed to pay $1.5-million to the family of Ezell Ford. Welcome to the new Ikea. ICYMI: It's huge! California's emergency drought rules will be staying in place -- at least for the near future.
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UPDATES:
10:20 a.m.: This article was updated with news that a New York City doorman died in a snow-related accident.
This article was originally published at 8:30 a.m.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
