This one doesn’t come along every day —Alan Dunham

By all accounts, the first major snowfall of 2013 in the Northeast could

be paralyzing. “We’re expecting really heavy, blinding snow, with winds of 40 to 50 mph,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Morrin.

The monster storm, that some are comparing to a 1978 blizzard, is

expected to dump at least two feet of snow in some areas. Two major

storm systems will merge into one, which will cause heavy snow, strong winds, and storm surge in the Northeast.

New York City, which is struggling to recover from Hurricane Sandy, is

expected to get in excess of 14 inches of snow. Snow began falling in

New Jersey, also hit by Sandy, about dawn Friday morning. Officials

there are expecting additional coastal flooding in already hard hit areas.

The governors of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have

declared states of emergency in advance of the storm. Airlines have

cancelled over 3,000 flights in the area for Friday. Boston’s Logan

International Airport plans to ground all flights for at least 24 hours

once the storm hits. Amtrak has stopped service in the Northeast

Corridor north of New York.

Throughout the warned area schools area closed. Commuters are urged to leave work early. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) announced that all service will be suspended at 3:30 p.m.

“This one doesn’t come along every day. This is going to be a dangerous winter storm,” said Alan Dunham, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass.

Related Topics:

• Late snow brings drought relief

• Where's Spring?

• Huge winter storm targets East coast

More links on Winter Storms