Winter Storm Stella Strikes North East Tuesday

A strong winter storm will likely become a historic Nor’easter as it punishes New York, Boston and all points in between.

New York’s mayor Bill DeBlasio said that “snow is expected to begin after midnight in New York City.” He then added, “The period of greatest accumulation should be between 6 a.m. and noon Tuesday, with a possible 2 to 4 inches per hour and whiteout potential during that time. If you must go out, do so for as limited time period as possible … but the best thing to do is stay in.”

According to The Weather Channel, up to two feet of snow are expected in some areas with the event beginning just before dawn on Tuesday and lasting well into Wednesday.

Two men have already died due to the storm as it crossed Wisconsin.

According to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s office, the victims — both men — died in separate weather-related activities. One man, 76, was operating a snow blower before he died; the second man, 64, was shoveling snow, said investigator Jenni Penn.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for parts of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut calling for up to 2 feet of snow by early Wednesday and temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below normal.

More than 4,000 flights were preemptively canceled Monday night with the most cancellations coming at Newark International and Boston’s Logan Airport.

Governors in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia declared a state of emergency.

School districts in Boston, Fairfax County, Virginia, New York City and Philadelphia canceled school on Tuesday.