Schools to close in New York City, Boston as cities brace for snowstorm

A winter snowstorm is taking aim at the Northeast and could wreak havoc for major cities during the Tuesday morning commute.

New York City's public schools, the largest system in the country, will be closed Tuesday, with classes moving to remote learning, Mayor Eric Adams announced. Boston Public Schools will also be closed Tuesday.

More than 300 flights for Tuesday had already been canceled as of Monday afternoon, with airports in New York City and Boston hit the hardest.

This marks the first time in two years that New York City has been under a winter storm watch.

The snowstorm is expected to last from about 7 a.m. to Tuesday afternoon.

Snowfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour.

The fast-moving storm will begin with rain in New York City Monday night, transitioning to snow at some point during the overnight hours. Coastal flooding is also possible from Delaware to New Jersey to New England.

On Tuesday morning, a treacherous commute is expected from Philadelphia to New York City to Hartford, Connecticut, to Boston. Heavy snow combined with 40 mph wind gusts will make travel nearly impossible.

Four to 8 inches of snow is expected for Boston and much of New York City.

Philadelphia is forecast to get 1 to 3 inches of snow in the city and 3 to 6 inches in the northern suburbs.

Six to 12 inches of snow is possible for eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, New York's Hudson Valley, some parts of northern New York City, Long Island and southeastern New England.

The storm will wrap up in the afternoon and be completely gone by 7 p.m.