At a Glance

Blizzard warnings have been issued, and the latest forecast calls for 8 to12 inches for New York City.The heaviest snowfall is expected Tuesday morning through the afternoon.New York City Public Schools will be closed Tuesday."This storm is no joke," says Connecticut DOT spokesman.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announcedastate of emergency for New Yorkahead of the arrival of Winter Storm Stella,a nor'easter that's expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to the tri-state area on Tuesday.

“We’re going to be hit with a tremendous challenge in the coming hours,” de Blasio said Monday afternoon.A decision of whether or not to implement a travel ban, which has already been done in neighboring Connecticut, has not yet been made,though de Blasio seems to be leaning towards yes as of his most recent comments just before his 10 PM briefing: “The current projections are high enough to justify it,” he said. “We want to see one more report to see if those are holding.”

The snow is expected to begin falling between midnight and 1 AM, with the most intensive snowfall beginning between 5 AM and 6 AM.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that all above ground subway service will be suspended at 4 AM Tuesday. Express subway services will end at midnight, along with the ushering in of the state of emergency. The NYC bus, LIRR, and Metro North service may be suspended as well, the governor Tweeted Monday afternoon.

“The level of snowfall that is forecasted would prohibit safe operation of Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North. So people should stay home unless absolutely necessary," Governor Cuomo said.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio urgesresidents to avoid unnecessary travel and help keep the roads clear for sanitation crews and first responders ahead of the arrival of Winter Storm Stella.

"We're preparing for a significant storm on Tuesday, and New Yorkers should also prepare for snow and dangerous road conditions," de Blasio said.

New York City Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, the mayor said.The Department of Education is also reporting via Twitter that all adult education will be closed as well.

President Donald Trump also urged East Coast residents to stay safe throughout the duration of Stella.

The storm is fast-moving and high impact, and will be in full swing by 5 AM Tuesday morning.

First flakes are anticipated to begin falling in the New York City at around 10-11 PM tonight. The snowfall rate will pick up between 2 and 3 AM, and this increase will mostly affect non-city areas.

Heavy snowfall is anticipated around most of Eastern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. New York City and other areas west of I-95 should anticipate heavy snowfall as well, and up to a foot of snow is forecasted for NYC. Southern New York and Northern New Jersey are expected to receive 104 inches of snow per hour through early afternoon on Tuesday. The snow will fall quickly, and the system will move fast as well.

The National Weather Service is advising residents who live west of I-95 to remain indoors from 2 AM until at least 2 PM Tuesday until the system passes.

Blizzard warnings were issuedfrom late Monday night through Tuesday evening for New York City and parts of northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut, while winter storm warnings and watches were issued for the remainder of the Northeast.

The latest forecast calls for 8 to12 inches for New York City, whichmay be the heaviest snowstorm so far this season since Feb. 9, whenWinter Storm Niko dumped 10.9 inches.

Along the coast, storm surges of 2 to 3 feet are expected, which would cause minor to moderate flooding.

Light snow is expected to begin late Monday night and intensify overnight into early Tuesday morning. The heaviest snowfall is expected Tuesday morning through the afternoon, with snowfall rates of as much as 2 to 4 inches per hour. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph.

(FORECAST: )

New York’s Department of Sanitation said more than 680 salt spreaders were out across the five boroughs and that more than 1,600 plows will be dispatched.Garbage and recycling collections will be suspended when the snow begins.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo activated the state’s Emergency Operations Center on Monday and said he has directed state agencies “to continue proactively preparing communities and roadways for this major storm.”

“We remain in constant contact with local officials in every region, as New York prepares to aggressively clear roads, provide personnel and storm equipment as needed, and offer immediate assistance to communities across the state,” he said in a statement. “I strongly urge everyone to limit unnecessary travel on Tuesday, and if you must drive, please plan ahead, be careful and stay safe.”

Once the nor'easter hits, motorists in New York state can call 511 or access www.511ny.org to check on road conditions and transit information.The region anticipates "substantial MTA service changes," which would affect subways, buses, the Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road.

Many airlines are allowing passengers to make a one-time change to their flights without a fee in many of its affected markets, including Newark, LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia. American Airlines announced Monday it would suspendoperations at LaGuardiaand JFK on Tuesday.

Amtrak officials say a modified schedule will be in place Tuesday.No Acela trains will run between New York and Boston Tuesday, and there will be limited Acela service between New York and Washington. Northeast Regional trains will run on a modified schedule, with some trains truncated or canceled.

In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie said public and private snow removal trucks are getting ready for Tuesday's storm. He says that the state's salt supply is at 75 percent of its capacity because of the mild winter.

In Connecticut,State Department of Transportation says thatwill have 634 trucks on the road along with 250 contractor plows at the ready.

“This is going to be a lot of snow very quickly,” said Connecticut DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick. “Unless it’s an emergency situation, people should stay off the road Tuesday. You’re not going to see 3 feet in front of your vehicle, you won’t see the shoulder or the snow plow. There will be 50 mph winds and very low visibility. This storm is no joke.”

Stella arrives just a week after the region saw temperatures climb into the 60s.

New York City has seen 36 winter storms since 1869 that have produced a foot or more of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Just four of those storms have occurred in March, with the last happeningMarch 3-4, 1960.

– Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

People struggle to walk in the blowing snow during a winter storm Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)