The northeastern United States is on high alert for a crippling blizzard.<br /><br /> A powerful storm is forecast to hit the area between Monday night and Tuesday morning (January 26-27) local time. Meteorologists predict between 60 cm and one metre of snow will be dumped across the region.<br /><br /> Tens of millions of people have been urged to stay at home. More than 5,000 flights have been cancelled and schools are temporarily closed. <br /><br /> Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio warned people to be alert.<br /><br /> “Everything we know so far makes it clear you can’t underestimate this storm. This is not a typical storm. It’s going to pack a real punch and we have to expect heavy accumulation in a very short period of time,” he said. “There is another crucial point: some storms come in in a measured manner. This is going to come in in a sudden spurt of activity.”<br /><br /> De Blasio went on to announce the only transport that would be allowed on the roads after 11pm local time on Monday would be emergency vehicles.<br /><br /> In
