Snow-covered Lake Michigan is seen Wednesday Authentic Jack Eichel Jersey , Dec. 25, 2013, in Chicago. Two bursts of light snow are likely to total 1 to 2 inches area-wide, making this the snowiest Christmas in the Chicago area since 2002 when 2 inches fell. (AP Photo) Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 Northeast US hit by first big storm in 2014 A winter storm was bearing down on the Northeast, promising heavy snows, strong winds and bitter temperatures that will make commutes hazardous for the first work day of the new year.
Snow began falling overnight in parts of New England and New York but the real brunt of the storm wasn't expected to hit until later Thursday. As much as a foot of snow or more was forecast for some areas overnight Thursday into Friday Authentic Evander Kane Jersey , and temperatures were expected to plummet, with some areas seeing highs just above zero, the National Weather Service said.
"There will be travel problems," said Hugh Johnson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Albany, N.Y. "It will be very cold."
Up to 14 inches of snow is forecast for the Boston area and the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Long Island — where 8 to 10 inches of snow could fall and winds could gust up to 45 mph — from Thursday evening into Friday afternoon.
The storm dropped a half-foot or more of snow in Illinois on Wednesday Jason Pominville Jersey , prompting hundreds of flight cancellations into and out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, according to the aviation tracking website FlightAware. More than 900 U.S. flights were canceled for Thursday, with O'Hare and Newark Liberty International most affected.
Authorities said the weather may have been a factor in a fatal crash Wednesday evening involving a pickup and a bus carrying casino patrons in Indiana. Police said the truck's driver was killed and 15 bus passengers were hurt in the collision on a snow-covered and slushy highway in Rolling Prairie.
Sections of interior southern New England and New York could get up to a foot of snow by the time the storm moves out, with forecasts generally calling for 6 to 12 inches. New York City, likely to see 3 to 7 inches, issued a snow alert. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged the city's commuters to leave their cars at home in case major highways are closed for Thursday's evening rush hour.
"We are looking at a serious storm situation Jack Eichel Jersey ," Cuomo said.
Although lesser amounts of snow were forecast to the south, Philadelphia and parts of southern New Jersey were expected to see 3 to 7 inches of blowing, drifting snow.
In Toms River, N.J., Jonas Caldwell said he was prepared for whatever the storm might bring