As the massive blizzard prepares to engulf the Northeast, some 2,000 flights have been canceled as the storm is expected to bring as much as two feet or more of snow from New Jersey to Maine.
An additional 1,945 flights have been cancelled for Tuesday and that number is expected to rise, according to FlightAware.com.
The greatest impacts from the storm, which began as a clipper system that brought snow and slick roads to the Midwest on Sunday, are expected Monday evening through Tuesday.
President Obama was briefed on the storm, and White House officials have been in touch with state and local officials on the eastern seaboard, according to White House Spokesman Josh Earnest.
FEMA also has assets in the region ready to assist, Earnest said.
ABC News
PHOTO: The latest forecast from the ABC News Weather Team is calling for over a foot of snow from New York City to Boston by Wednesday morning.
Local leaders in the New York area were warning residents to stay off the roads and planned to shut down or curtail mass transit systems as the storm intensifies.
In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel Malloy issued a travel ban for the entire state effective at 9 p.m. this evening.
"We encourage citizens to stay in place during the duration of the storm," Malloy said.
New York also was considering a travel ban, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
Cuomo and N.J. Gov. Chris Christie announced at separate briefings that the New York subway, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro North and New Jersey Transit would all be reducing service dramatically leading up to total closures for LIRR, Metro North and NJ Transit. Subway and PATH train service were to be curtailed.
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio told residents not to underestimate the storm.
"Prepare for something worse than we have seen before. Prepare to be safe. Take every precaution," he said. "Now is the time to get ready for this extreme weather."
Ahead of the winter storm, Nee York City residents raced to stock up on food essentials.
De Blasio said crews were readying to keep streets clear, as officials prepare for what could be "one of the top two or three largest storms in the history of this city."
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency was also preparing for the storm.
"All of the things that come into play during these events, we want to make sure there are no surprises and everybody is on the same page," said MEMA spokesman Peter Judge.
ABC News
PHOTO: A major nor'easter is forecast to develop of the east coast late Monday and rapidly intensify by Tuesday morning bringing heavy snow and strong winds.
The highest snowfall amounts are currently expected between just east of New York City and Boston, where as much as two feet of snow is expected.
New York City can expect 12-18 inches of snow, with cities southwest on I-95, like Philadelphia seeing 6-12 inches.
Winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories are in effect from the mid-Atlantic to New England, with blizzard watches posted for cities closer to the coast, including New York City and Boston, where blizzard conditions are expected during the height of the storm.
In anticipation of the dangerous winter weather, several major U.S. airlines have issued travel advisories, including Jet Blue, US Airways, American, Southwest and Delta.
Many airlines are also waiving their flight change and cancellation fees for any flights that are scheduled to arrive in cities expected to be affected by the storm this evening and Tuesday.
Travelers can check with their specific airline for how to change or cancel their flight and get the latest updates on any travel advisories.
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