The beleaguered Northeast region of the United States hunkered down -- again -- Wednesday as another blizzard blanketed the area.
Blizzard conditions in New England Wednesday, created nightmares for travelers and residents along a line that included the cities of Providence, R.I., Boston and Portland, Maine, Accuweather.com reported.
Places bearing the brunt of the storm's fury could expect burying and wind-driven snow, forecasters said, clogging roads and wreaking havoc on all forms of transportation.
The heaviest new snow totals were forecast to top a foot across southern New England and northward to Portsmouth, N.H.
In New York, Michael Bloomberg already declared a weather emergency, The New York Times reported.
Hundreds of flights at the three major New York airports were canceled Tuesday and nearly all domestic flights were scrubbed through Wednesday afternoon. Service on subway and rail lines also was disrupted.
The National Weather Service said snow is on the ground in all states except Florida. Even Hawaii reported snowfall on one of its volcanoes, the Times said.
In Massachusetts, state officials braced for the storm by stockpiling salt and sand, and preparing equipment, as communities across the state announced school closings and cancellation of services and events, The Boston Globe reported.
"We want to keep as many people off the roads as possible," Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesman Peter Judge said. "If people have to travel, they should use public transportation."
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said state offices were closed Wednesday and urged private employers to take similar measures.
"If you stay indoors throughout the worst of the storm, you give the people running the plows and the sanders and the rest of it their best chance to clear the roads and you also keep yourself safe," Patrick said.
Logan International Airport spokesman Phil Orlandella said some airlines told airport officials flights would be canceled for Wednesday. He said the airport plans to keep one runway open in the morning and open a second runway later in the day.
"We plan to stay open as long as we can, as long as we think it's safe," Orlandella said.