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New York snow: Mayor De Blasio defends Juno warnings New York snow: Mayor De Blasio defends snow warnings
(about 1 hour later)
New York City's mayor has responded to claims that officials overreacted to the threat posed by Winter Storm Juno, saying: "We dodged a bullet." New York City's mayor has responded to claims officials overreacted to the threat posed by a major winter storm, saying: "We dodged a bullet."
As New York awoke to a blanket of snow less deep than feared, forecasts were downgraded and a transport ban was lifted in the city.As New York awoke to a blanket of snow less deep than feared, forecasts were downgraded and a transport ban was lifted in the city.
But up to 60cm (24in) was still expected in places across New York state, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. But there has been heavy snow across the northeast US, with more than 2ft (60cm) in Massachusetts alone.
Some 60 million people may be affected. Blizzard warnings remain along the coast from Long Island to Maine.
Speaking to CNN, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "This is a better-safe-than-sorry scenario."Speaking to CNN, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "This is a better-safe-than-sorry scenario."
He added: "We did what was necessary to keep everyone safe."He added: "We did what was necessary to keep everyone safe."
Blizzard warnings have now been lifted in New York City and New Jersey, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday that the driving ban had been lifted in New York City. Blizzard warnings for New York City and New Jersey have been lifted, with some public transport resuming in New York.
A teenage boy was killed in a sledging accident on Long lsland, one of the worst-affected parts of New York state.
On Monday an emergency was declared in a swathe of north-eastern states, and meteorologists predicted up to 90cm (36in) of snow. Officials later revised the snow forecasts but the emergencies remain in place.On Monday an emergency was declared in a swathe of north-eastern states, and meteorologists predicted up to 90cm (36in) of snow. Officials later revised the snow forecasts but the emergencies remain in place.
At the scene: Martha Kearney, BBC News, New York
The city that never sleeps certainly seemed pretty dozy. The only vehicles about were police cars and snow ploughs.
It was still freezing, though, so I headed inside for a cup of tea and to watch the news where politicians were being grilled about their decisions to close the streets and public transport.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that weather is imprecise by its very nature and that they had planned as best they could but safety had to come first. He pointed out that parts of Long Island had been badly hit.
So what about the weather forecasts which seemed to have got things wrong? One meteorologist made an interesting Freudian slip when he said "we didn't get the weather we hoped for". The broadcasters had some fun too. NBC anchor Matt Lauer made a snow angel on 5th Avenue.
And in Central Park the kids were enjoying the day off school.
Boston also imposed a travel ban, and subway systems in New York and Boston were suspended.Boston also imposed a travel ban, and subway systems in New York and Boston were suspended.
Heavy snow is still reported in Massachusetts, with reports of snow up to 25in deep in the town of Worcester. However, parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey have been spared extreme snow. The heaviest snowfall has been reported in Connecticut and Massachusetts, which saw 52cm (20.5in) and 67cm (26.2in) respectively, compared to the 13cm (5.5in) seen in New York's Central Park.
Despite the easing in conditions, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storm could still bring "crippling snowfall amounts and life-threatening blizzard conditions to much of the north-east". Thousands of people are without power in Massachusetts, local media reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is still warning of potentially life-threatening conditions along the New England coast, as the storm heads north into Canada.
"The wind here is tremendous, it's difficult to see very far out the window," said Christie Craigheard in New Hampshire, another of the affected areas.
In other developments:In other developments:
'Matter of life and death''Matter of life and death'
The NWS had previously warned that a "potentially historic blizzard" was approaching the north-east.The NWS had previously warned that a "potentially historic blizzard" was approaching the north-east.
But the blizzard appeared less severe than expected on Tuesday morning, with snowfall levels ranging from 2.5cm (1in) in Washington DC to 38cm (15in) at New York State's Islip airport at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT).But the blizzard appeared less severe than expected on Tuesday morning, with snowfall levels ranging from 2.5cm (1in) in Washington DC to 38cm (15in) at New York State's Islip airport at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT).
Meteorologists expect the snow and strong winds to continue throughout Tuesday, before weakening overnight.Meteorologists expect the snow and strong winds to continue throughout Tuesday, before weakening overnight.
"In areas close to the immediate coastline... hurricane force wind gusts to near 120km/h (75mph) will be possible," the NWS said."In areas close to the immediate coastline... hurricane force wind gusts to near 120km/h (75mph) will be possible," the NWS said.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned residents against violating the driving ban in 13 southern counties of the state. New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo warned residents against travelling unless it was completely necessary.
"If you are in your car and you are on any road, town, village, city, it doesn't matter, after 11 o'clock [23:00 local time; 04:00 GMT], you will technically be committing a crime. "The roads are still dangerous and they are passable, but there is a level of ice under the snow in many areas. And if you don't have to travel today, you really don't want to be travelling today."
"It could be a matter of life and death so caution is required," the governor said.
Echoing his words, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to stay out of the way of the 2,300 snowploughs clearing city streets.Echoing his words, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged residents to stay out of the way of the 2,300 snowploughs clearing city streets.
"You can't underestimate this storm. What you are going to see in a few hours in something that is going to hit very hard and very fast."
Similar bans for non-emergency vehicles were enacted in Connecticut and Massachusetts.Similar bans for non-emergency vehicles were enacted in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Are you in the north-east USA? What preparations are you making for the blizzard? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the north-east USA? What preparations are you making for the blizzard? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.
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