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More than 40 million people are under blizzard warnings as a powerful winter storm moves across the eastern United States, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions. Authorities in New York City and several surrounding regions have imposed travel restrictions as the storm intensifies.

Forecasts suggest that parts of the Northeast could receive between 1 and 2 feet of snow, with some coastal and metropolitan areas potentially experiencing even higher accumulation. Meteorologists warned that snowfall rates could reach several inches per hour during the storm’s peak.

Blizzard warnings have been issued across large sections of the East Coast, including urban and coastal communities from the Mid-Atlantic region to southern New England. Winter storm alerts also cover additional areas from the central Appalachian region to northern New England, affecting millions more residents.

Officials in multiple states declared emergency conditions as a safety measure. In New York, authorities banned nonessential travel across streets, highways, and bridges through midday Monday. Public schools were closed, and only emergency and essential services were allowed to operate on restricted roadways.

Weather experts said the storm is notable because of its scale across densely populated regions. Cody Snell, a meteorologist with the Weather Prediction Center of the National Weather Service, said large nor’easter storms can bring heavy snowfall, but this event affects an unusually wide area.

Snowfall forecasts indicate that metropolitan areas such as New York City could receive 12 to 18 inches of snow, with higher totals possible in nearby locations. The weather service defines a blizzard as snow or blowing snow that reduces visibility to a quarter mile or less for at least three hours, combined with sustained winds of 35 miles per hour or more.

New York City officials deployed more than 700 salt spreaders and converted thousands of garbage trucks into snow removal equipment to help clear streets. City authorities warned residents that this was the first blizzard warning for the city in nearly a decade.

Governor Kathy Hochul of New York declared a state of emergency and activated National Guard units to assist emergency response operations.

“This will be something the likes of which we have not seen in years,” Hochul said. She warned that residents in New York City and Long Island could face extended power outages and dangerous travel conditions.

Similar emergency measures were announced in New Jersey, where officials imposed travel bans and suspended mass transit operations. Governor Mikie Sherrill urged residents to remain indoors and avoid road travel during the storm.

In the Boston area, officials also prepared for severe weather. Boston authorities closed public schools and municipal facilities as snowfall forecasts suggested the city could face historic storm impacts.

Meteorologists warned that wind gusts ranging from 25 to 70 miles per hour could combine with heavy, wet snow to produce drifting snow, whiteout conditions, and possible structural damage from tree branches falling onto power lines.

Power outage monitoring websites reported tens of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity across parts of the Northeast, particularly in New Jersey and Delaware.

Transportation systems experienced major disruptions. Flight tracking data showed thousands of airline cancellations, with more than 3,900 flights cancelled on Sunday alone. Additional cancellations were expected for the following days.

Major carriers including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines issued travel waivers, allowing passengers to change reservations without extra charges.

Airport hubs across the region, including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, D.C., faced operational challenges as visibility decreased and runways required continuous snow clearing.

Authorities warned drivers along major transportation corridors such as Interstate 95 and other regional highways that travel could become extremely hazardous or impossible during peak storm intensity.

Emergency management officials in coastal communities also raised concerns about flooding risks caused by storm surge combined with high tides.

Meteorologists said the storm approached the region shortly after previous winter weather systems had begun melting, increasing the risk of ice formation and slippery surfaces.

Officials continue urging residents to stay at home if possible, prepare emergency supplies, and follow local weather alerts until the storm passes. Weather conditions are expected to gradually improve after the storm moves further north and weakens.