WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- As a potentially historic blizzard approaches the U.S. Northeast, the region is bracing for the possible impact on Friday.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm could bring up to three feet of snow in spots, as well as hurricane- strength wind gusts to the coast. By mid Friday morning, light snow had begun falling in Boston and across New England, according to a report by The Boston Globe. The snow is expected to intensify during what is normally the time for the evening commute.
The blizzard is expected to affect heavily the states of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Schools across the four states have announced that they would close or dismiss students early on Friday, according to The New York Times. Almost all schools across Massachusetts were closed on Friday, including public schools in Boston as well as Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Throughout the night and into the morning, airlines have announced the suspension of thousands of flights in the area. Amtrak would also suspend trains between New York and Boston on Friday afternoon.
In Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick said that a state of emergency would take effect as of noon on Friday. He called for all cars to be off the streets. Tandem trailers and propane trucks were banned from state highways.
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