ORLANDO, Fla. – Blizzard conditions across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast continue to cause flight delays and cancellations Tuesday at Orlando International Airport.
Airport officials said hundreds of flights have been canceled at OIA, with many more being delayed. Officials on Tuesday said 82 flights at OIA were delayed and another 247 were canceled as of 6 p.m.
The Greater Aviation Authority encouraged passengers to contact their airline providers for specific flight updates before heading to the airport.
As weather conditions worsen, airport authorities said they expect more delays and cancellations.
Millions under blizzard warning
The monster winter storm has placed 31 million people under a blizzard warning.
So far, more than 7,600 US flights have been canceled and thousands of schools have closed due to what could be a historic storm. Winter storm warnings and watches have been hoisted over a region stretching from North Virginia into Maine.
Local and state authorities warned residents to be prepared and to avoid unnecessary travel as winds in some areas could reach up to 50 to 60 mph, reducing visibility to zero.
"We're talking one in every three people in the US are dealing with significant snow in the forecast in the next several hours," said CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.
Major cities, including New York and Boston, could get deluged with snow if the storm hugs the coastline, but they could see significantly less snow if the storm shifts closer to land.
Weather models on early Tuesday showed that the heaviest snow, as much as two feet, could hit areas west of New York such as Scranton and Allentown, Pennsylvania.
[RELATED: Track OIA flight delays, cancellations |Check your OIA flight status]
The weather about-face comes a week after the region saw temperatures climb into the 60s. Spring officially starts on March 20.
Travel warnings, snow and sleet
Warnings to use caution came from public officials up and down the East Coast -- including the President.
"Everyone along the east coast be safe and listen to local officials as a major winter storm approaches," President Donald Trump tweeted.
Federal agencies in the Washington area will open three hours late, with employees having the option of taking unscheduled leave or teleworking, according to a press release from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
This storm system already hit the Midwest, claiming two lives in 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. They were both cardiac-related deaths, Penn said.
In addition to the hazards produced by a deluge of snow, the region also is expecting downed power lines and service interruptions.
"This should be a very serious blizzard, one that everyone should take seriously," New York's de Blasio said.
The period of greatest accumulation of snow should be between 6 a.m. and noon Tuesday, with a possible 2 to 4 inches per hour and whiteout potential during that time, de Blasio said.
[RELATED: Central Fla. cooldown]
In Massachusetts, its governor said the state expects sleet, rain and extremely cold temperatures along the coast.
"This is going to be a lot of snow and it's going to be a mess," Baker said.
A snow emergency is expected to go into effect in Boston at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Boston mayor Walsh said.
What you need to know
- The heaviest snow is expected to hit between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and could turn into sleet later, according to CNN Weather Center.
- 31 million people are under a blizzard warning, 31 million are under a winter storm warning and 9 million are under a winter weather advisory.
- About 7,600 flights that were scheduled for Tuesday have been canceled, according to FlightAware.
- Amtrak is running on a modified schedule, with many trains canceled or running at different times. The Acela Express from New York City to Boston is canceled, and there will be limited Acela service from New York City to Washington, DC.
- New York City could get up to 20 inches of snow, but with warmer air filtering into the area, weather models predict that snowfall could be closer 10 to 14 inches.
- Washington DC is expected to get 5-10 inches of snow. The federal government is opening three hours late and employees have the option to take unscheduled leave or work from home, according to a press release from the US Office of Personnel Management.
- Parts of Massachusetts could see 24 inches or more and similarly powerful winds, said Gov. Charlie Baker. Boston could see as much as 12 inches of snow for the metro region.
- Snowfall of this magnitude is not uncommon in March, but this storm has the chance to be historic. The greatest recorded snowfall New York City has seen in March was 16.5 inches, on March 12, 1888.
- Schools are closed in Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York City, Boston.
- New York state is under a state of emergency, and 2,000 members of the National Guard have been called up. Virginia called a state of emergency as well.
- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency, authorizing a response to the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and agencies.
- Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed an order activating a statewide travel ban that will begin at 5:00 a.m. Tuesday and remain in effect until further notice.