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US north-east braces for 'historic' snowstorm US north-east braces for 'historic' snowstorm
(about 7 hours later)
The north-east US coast is braced for a big snowstorm that has already caused hundreds of flight cancellations. Snow is falling around the US north-east, which is braced for a "potentially historic" storm that could see up to 3ft (91cm) of snow in some areas.
The storm is set to cause power cuts and transport chaos as it arrives from the Great Lakes and brings blizzards to parts of New England on Friday. Power cuts and transport chaos are expected as blizzards from the Great Lakes descend on parts of New England.
It is expected to peak on Saturday morning east of Cape Cod. Thousands of flights in the area have already been cancelled, and people have been stocking up on food and supplies.
Schools have already been closed in Boston, where sustained strong winds are set to exacerbate heavy snowfall - as much as two feet in some areas. Winds of up to 75mph (120km/h) were expected to create deep drifts.
The National Weather Service said the combination of two weather systems from the polar and subtropical jet streams would produce a "potentially historic" storm, with weather warnings extending from New Jersey to Maine. The National Weather Service said the combination of two weather systems from the polar and sub-tropical jet streams would produce a "potentially historic" storm.
Winds of up to 35mph (55km/h) with significantly stronger hurricane-strength gusts were expected to create deep drifts. Blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, and extend into New Hampshire and Maine.
Airlines have already cancelled hundreds of flights across the region. 'Stay home'
In Boston, Mayor Thomas Menino urged businesses to consider allowing staff to stay home to reduce the risk of commuters getting stranded. At least 3,700 flights have been cancelled in anticipation of the storm, according to href="http://flightaware.com/live/" >airline tracking website FlightAware.
Amtrak said its north-east trains from New York to Boston would stop running on Friday afternoon.
In Boston, where schools were preemptively closed on Friday, Mayor Thomas Menino urged businesses to consider allowing staff to stay home to reduce the risk of commuters getting stranded.
"We are hardy New Englanders, let me tell you, and used to these types of storms," said Mr Menino."We are hardy New Englanders, let me tell you, and used to these types of storms," said Mr Menino.
"But I also want to remind everyone to use common sense and stay off the streets of our city. Basically, stay home," "But I also want to remind everyone to use common sense and stay off the streets of our city. Basically, stay home."
In New York, where memories of October's Hurricane Sandy are still fresh in the mind, the famous Staten Island ferry has had its schedule reduced. While schools remain open for now, residents are being advised to prepare for the worst. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick ordered all non-essential state employees to stay indoors, and suggested that private businesses do the same.
"Due to potential power outages and transportation difficulties, New Yorkers are advised to stock up on potential supplies, including medicine," said the city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg. Boston is forecast to get 3ft of snow, which would far exceed the city's record snowfall of 27.6in (70cm) in 2003.
With up to a foot of snow expected over the next two days, Mr Bloomberg said snow ploughs and 250,000 tonnes of salt were being readied for use. In New York City, which is expecting up to 12in, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said snow ploughs and 250,000 tonnes of salt were being put on standby.
"We hope forecasts are exaggerating the amount of snow, but you never can tell," Mr Bloomberg said.
The city is forecasted to see about a foot of snow.
Some neighbourhoods in the city are still recovering from Sandy, an October cyclone that brought recording flooding to the US east coast.
One power utility firm in New York's Long Island criticised for its response to Sandy said it was preparing its grid for the storm and getting crews and equipment ready to respond to outages.
While schools and transportation in the city remain open for now, Mr Bloomberg advised New Yorkers to stock up on supplies, including medicine.
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