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WEATHER
Andrew Cuomo

NYC mayor: Snowstorm could be worst ever

John Bacon
USA TODAY
People jog on a footbridge to the Esplanade in Boston on Jan. 24, 2015.

The Northeast was bracing Sunday for a monstrous winter storm that could trigger massive power outages and slam the brakes on air traffic and rush hours from Philadelphia deep into New England.

About 29 million people were under a blizzard warning as of late Sunday, and another 11 million in a winter storm warning, according to the National Weather Service.

New York City could see up to 20 inches of snow Monday into Tuesday, the weather service predicted. Parts of New England could see 2 feet or more. High winds could cause whiteout conditions, bring down power lines and otherwise aggravate the weather disaster.

"This could be the biggest snowstorm in the history of this city," Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a Sunday press conference. "My message for New Yorkers is prepare for something worse than we have ever seen before."

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged residents to stay home from work Monday or at least leave for home early in the day. He said the worst of the storm could hit before the evening commute.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker urged residents to "all take the necessary precautions for this significant storm." He warned of power outages and impassible roads after the storm hits the state late Monday.

Blizzard warnings were already in place in the New York City area, much of New Jersey and parts of southern New England.

"It's one thing to get a foot or more of snow," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines told USA TODAY. "You throw in 30 to 40 mile-per-hour winds and it's a recipe for disaster."

Some 1,400 commercial flights were canceled Monday, according to FlightAware.com.

American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and US Airways were among many airlines that announced winter-weather waivers. Most will allow passengers flying to or through the Northeast to make one itinerary change without paying a change fee.

Major airports expected to see disruptive snow totals include New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia, Boston and most airports in New England. Still to be determined: The impact of a ripple effect of canceled and delayed flights across the nation.

The weather threatened to snarl land traffic as well, Kines said.

"Monday night and Tuesday rush hours could be horrible — if there even is a Tuesday rush hour," Kines said.

The weather service warned of heavy snow and strong wind — "even blizzard conditions are possible." The weather service labels a snow storm a blizzard when winds reach 35 mph and blowing snow reduces visibility to less than a quarter of a mile.

"New York will get hit real good late Monday and Monday night," Kines warned. "Boston, tomorrow night and into Tuesday. There is going to be a large area that gets close to or more than a foot of snow."

The weather service was forecasting 4 to 8 inches over parts of Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. Six to 12 inches were forecast from New Jersey north to eastern Massachusetts through Tuesday morning.

"In addition to the heavy snow prospects, a tightening pressure gradient will lead to gusty winds which may bring blizzard conditions to sections of the affected area," the weather service warned.

The Weather Channel has dubbed the storm "Winter Storm Juno."

Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington were preparing for the worst a day after another storm swept through the region but caused little damage in the major metro areas.That fast-moving winter storm brought a mix of sleet, rain and snow to the major cities but dumped close to a foot of snow in parts of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

This week's storm is forecast to be much worse.

In New York, De Blasio warned drivers to stay off the roads and promised around-the clock salting and plowing. He implored residents to "check in on the neighbors," particularly the elderly.

"Whatever normal precautions you take in advance of a storm, take even more," the mayor said. "Stay safe."

Contributing: Catalina Camia, William M. Welch, Doyle Rice, Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

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