Winter weather warning live: NYC braces for biggest snow storm in two years

The US winter storm that is making its way up the Eastern seaboard on Tuesday was captured from space.

The enormity of the system was revealed by the GOES satellite, and shared by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Non-essential state employees were told to stay home in Massachusetts due to the heavy snow expected on Tuesday.

Governor Maura Healey told all non-essential Executive Branch employees to not report to work Tuesday.

Boston-area schools were also closed due to the weather.

Flight cancellations were mounting in the northeast on Tuesday as a winter storm swept the region.

The New York area airports – LaGuardia, JFK and Newark – were the worst impacted.

The Philadelphia metro area was warned to take it easy on the roads as rain turned to sleet and snow on Tuesday morning.

“Snow will become heavy at times during the morning rush,” the National Weather Service said. “Use extreme caution and delay travel if possible! A much nicer afternoon is expected.”

Governor Kathy Hochul has warned New Yorkers to “avoid unneccessary travel” as the state is hammered by a winter storm.

“Snow is falling in southern parts of the state and expected to intensify, making for a dangerous morning commute. Please monitor your local forecast, avoid unnecessary travel, and be safe,” she posted just before 8am ET on Tuesday morning.

The winter storm hammering the northeast could turn off voters from heading to the polls for Tuesday’s special election to replace the seat left by George Santos.

A high-stakes special election in disgraced ex-congressman Mr Santos’ former district is being held today, in a race that will likely have major implications for national politics.

The special election in New York’s 3rd Congressional district pits Republican newcomer Mazi Pilip up against Tom Suozzi, a former three-term congressman, who vacated the seat in 2021 to launch an unsuccessful run for governor.

Ms Pilip is an Ethiopian-born, former Israeli Defense Force paratrooper whose compelling backstory has Republicans touting her as a future star of the party.

The by-election has taken on added significance due to Republicans’ slim majority in the House, and is shaping up as a bellwether for how well both parties are faring ahead of the 2024 general election.

New York City woke up to a snow day for the first time in two years over Tuesday.

The heaviest snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour were expected to come down over the metro area and Long Island from 8am – 11am local times.

Students in New York will continue to learn virtually, while Boston school officials have cancelled class all-together.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams passionately defended officials’ decision to make school virtual on Tuesday, rather than cancelling all-together in favour of a traditional snow day.

“My mother had to walk us to school with her arthritic knees,” Mr Adams said at a Monday press conference. “If you are a parent, and you are not willing to navigate a computer for your child, that’s sad.”

“So you can’t tell me that Mommy took me to school with arthritic knees in a snow day and you are frustrated about lining on to a computer — that’s not acceptable to me,” he continued.

He emphasized the need for children to get “caught up” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our children must learn,” Mr Adams said. “They fell behind. We need to catch up that is what we need to be focusing on. “