A powerful nor’easter is poised to hit the Northeast with intense snowfall, blizzard conditions and damaging winds.

Forecasters had grappled with uncertainty in the days leading up to the storm, but projections have now solidified around a major system stretching from the Mid-Atlantic into New England, affecting major cities such as New York and Boston.

The storm is expected to rapidly strengthen into a bomb cyclone off the East Coast starting Sunday, placing the region just a day away from its most severe impacts.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency beginning at noon Sunday, anticipating significant snowfall. In neighboring New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued states of emergency across 22 of the state’s 62 counties starting Sunday morning.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani cautioned that the upcoming conditions could surpass those of the previous month’s storm. Officials are deploying outside snow-removal equipment earlier than before, adding extra crews to clear bus stops, sidewalks and pathways. More than 40 warming centers will open, and outreach teams will intensify efforts to assist homeless residents.

Hochul warned that the forecast has deteriorated quickly and described the approaching storm as “potentially life-threatening” and “historic.” She urged residents to stay indoors and sign up for emergency alerts. In Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser plans to dispatch the District Snow Team – about 200 plows – ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Blizzard warnings now cover millions from near Philadelphia to Boston, including Delaware, eastern Maryland, most of New Jersey, New York City and parts of coastal southern New England. This marks New York City’s first blizzard warning since 2017.

Snow totals could reach a foot or more from Philadelphia through New York City and Boston, with several inches expected farther south into the Mid-Atlantic, including Baltimore and smaller amounts in Washington, DC.

Travel is expected to be severely disrupted. Snow begins Sunday, but the worst conditions will strike Sunday night into Monday, likely crippling the Monday morning commute. More than 1,100 Sunday flights have already been canceled, with major delays expected at airports in New York City and Boston.

Power outages are possible as heavy, wet snow combines with winds over 40 mph, weighing down branches and power lines.

Severe to extreme impacts are anticipated from the Delmarva Peninsula through eastern Pennsylvania, much of New Jersey, the New York tri-state area and southern New England, according to NOAA’s Winter Storm Severity Index. Dangerous travel and widespread closures are likely.

Small shifts in the storm’s track could alter snowfall totals, but the system will be strong regardless. The heaviest snow – possibly 12 to 24 inches – is expected near and southeast of Interstate 95 from Philadelphia to New York and Boston.

If forecasts hold, this would be New York City’s first storm exceeding one foot of snow in more than five years. A storm a month earlier came close, dropping 11.4 inches.

The snow will be heavy and moisture-packed, prone to clinging to trees and power lines. When paired with wind gusts over 40 mph — and up to 55 mph along the immediate coast — damage and outages become more likely.

Strong winds will also push seawater inland, similar to storm surge in a hurricane. Moderate to locally major coastal flooding is possible from Delaware and New Jersey to Long Island and southern New England, peaking around high tide late Sunday night or early Monday.

Snow and rain will begin developing Sunday across parts of New York and the Mid-Atlantic, transitioning to all snow as colder air arrives.

Conditions will deteriorate quickly Sunday evening as the storm intensifies offshore. Snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour, spreading from the Mid-Atlantic toward southern New England with increasingly strong winds.

By sunrise Monday, the storm’s harshest effects will still be battering areas from Philadelphia to New York City and across southern New England. Blizzard conditions are expected along coastal regions, making travel dangerous or impossible.

Snow and strong winds will gradually ease from south to north through Monday afternoon. By Monday evening, the storm will be winding down, though parts of New England may still experience lingering effects.