Strong winds are expected to lash America's north east and more than a foot of snow could be dumped on parts of the region as a spring storm sweeps in from the Atlantic.
Flights were cancelled and schools called off lessons ahead of the fourth major storm in three weeks. People were also urged to stay home and off the roads so snowploughs could clear roads.
Forecasters said the storm was expected to intensify by early Wednesday afternoon.
“I didn’t think I’d still need to keep storm [supplies] in my car in late March, but what are you going to do?” said Wilson Collins as he prepared to leave his home in Toms River, New Jersey.
“I’m hoping most of the snow will accumulate just on the grass, but the roads will be a mess no matter what. I just hope this is finally it.”
The bulk of the snow and sleet was expected to pound New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and parts of eastern Pennsylvania, before heading towards Cape Cod.
Up to a foot of snow was forecast for Boston and parts of New York, according to the Weather Channel.
Widespread power cuts were possible with gusts blowing up to 35 mph (56 kph).
In Philadelphia, where wind-whipped snow fell on Tuesday, waitress Katy Halbeisen said: “Yesterday I was walking around and saw little birds taking a bath and it looked like they were thinking it would be spring.”
Dog-walker Emily DiFiglia said: “I’m outside all day long. So having the weather constantly fluctuating has driven me a little mad. Mother Nature, let’s get some warm weather!”
Arline tracking site FlightAware reported more than 3,000 cancelled flights across the US on Wednesday, most in the Northeast.
On the ground, rail company Amtrak scaled back service on the Northeast corridor and some states banned certain types of large vehicles from major roads.
Associated Press contributed to this report
