New York and Boston shut down ahead of blizzard

New York City and other areas in the north east of the US shut down as forecasts warn of powerful blizzards expected

Powerful blizzard expected to hit the north east of the US
Powerful blizzard expected to hit the north east of the US

Weather forecasters say that winter storm Juno is expected to bring “crippling” amounts of snow, and New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have declared an emergency.

All non-emergency vehicles were banned in New York City from Monday at 23:00, and subway services have also been suspended, with similar measures being introduced in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston which is expecting some of the highest snowfalls in the region, has also suspended public transport and car travel.

Around 60 million people are expected to be affected in total.

The National Weather Service had previously announced that “a potentially historic blizzard” was nearing the north-east of the US, with Boston bearing the brunt of the storm.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned residents against violating the driving ban in 13 southern counties of the state.

"If you are in your car and you are on any road, town, village, city, it doesn't matter, after 11 o'clock, you will technically be committing a crime. It could be a matter of life and death so caution is required," the governor said.

"In addition to heavy snow, with blizzard warnings, there's a big threat of high, damaging winds, and that will be increasing Monday into Tuesday," said Bob Oravec, a National Weather Service forecaster. "A lot of blowing, drifting and such."