A powerful nor'easter is beginning to lash the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast prompting flight cancellations, school closures and warnings from city and state officials to stay off the roads.
This is Spring Break week for many families around the country. Unfortunately, many will find themselves stuck at home thanks to the storm.
According to the airline-tracking website FlightAware, nearly 9,000 flights have been canceled. Amtrak also canceled and modified service up and down the Northeast Corridor. In New York City, the above-ground portions of the subway system were being shut down Tuesday morning.
The storm is also preventing spring breakers from leaving Tampa. More than 140 flights in and out of Tampa International Airport have been canceled already this morning. The impact may last beyond Tuesday. There could be more cancellations over the next two days as airlines try to get their schedules back on track after the blizzard passes through.
A passenger from Philadelphia shared her frustration with ABC Action News over what she calls winter's final kick just a week away from Spring.
"In Philly it was 80 degrees maybe two weeks ago then it snowed this much?" said Ilira Zherka, "I don't understand this weather at all. I don't know how it's doing this."
Zherka spent the night sleeping at TIA waiting the next earliest flight to the City of Brotherly Love.
A Chicago native, also stuck at TIA, advises passengers practice patience.
"Have a seat, go get some cappuccino and just chill," said Beverely Shorty.
Update: We're seeing 138 cancellations and 41 delayed flights due to #blizzard2017 in the Northeast. Check w/ your airline before traveling.
— Tampa Intl Airport (@FlyTPA) March 14, 2017
Click here to see current cancellations and delays across the United States.
Click here to see the FlightAware Misery Map.
The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
The storm was expected to dump 1 to 2 feet of snow on the New York City metro area with wind gusts of up to 55 mph.
The weather service's office near Philadelphia called the storm "life-threatening" and warned people to "shelter in place." Coastal flood warnings were in effect from Massachusetts to Delaware.
