The National Weather Service also issued a blizzard watch for the Big Apple on Thursday, with forecasts still predicting more than 30cms of snow accompanied by localised white-outs caused by winds gusting at more than 64km/hr. He referred to a blizzard in 1988 that killed 500 people in New York City, and earlier disasters where even more people were affected.
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The forecast calls for heavy snow in areas to the north and east, including northeast Tennessee and western North Carolina, as Winter Storm Jonas turns into a major snowstorm Friday.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which includes the second-busiest USA subway system, took the rare step of suspending operations from late on Friday through Sunday. Meanwhile, West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has enlisted the help of the West Virginia National Guard. Consumer watchdogs warned against illegal price gouging for such essentials as generators, batteries, flashlights and hotel lodging.
Some airlines have begun waiving change fees for people wanting to avoid airports this weekend.
Parts of SC and southern North Carolina from Charlotte to Raleigh should brace for where ice accumulations.
As of Thursday afternoon, blizzard warnings were in effect for Washington and Baltimore, and watches were in place for the Philadelphia and New York City areas – altogether covering almost 30 million people. Blizzard conditions will be possible from Washington, D.C.to Philadelphia to New York City.
“Anyone who has the illusion that they’re going to be taking big trips on Saturday or Sunday, get that out of your mind”, de Blasio said.
A blizzard watch has been posted from Virginia to Long Island, including Washington, D.C., and New York City, for a storm that threatens to bring high winds and heavy snow starting Friday and lasting through the weekend.
Back in the D.C. area, residents began stocking up on groceries and other supplies.
Light snow is expected after 4:50 p.m. Thursday, according to AccuWeather.
Governors in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia have also declared states of emergency. Blowing, drifting snow, and whiteout conditions, will lead to near zero visibility and make traveling nearly impossible during the height of the storm.
A winter storm warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected.
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The last of the snow should end on Sunday morning and the sun will come out Sunday afternoon, but it will likely be Tuesday before things get anywhere close to normal again, Ricketts says.
