Massive Storm Threatens Northeast

Blizzard and coastal flood warnings have been issued from New York City to Maine as two winter storms merge to create a single massive storm that promises to pummel an area still recovering from Hurricane Sandy on Friday and Saturday, according to NBC.

The storm is expected to dump a foot of snow in New York and up to two feet in Boston. Airlines pre-emptively cancelled 1,600 flights for Friday.

Snow and ice conditions caused two-hour delays at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport Thursday.  The National Weather Service advised Boston residents not to travel after noon on Friday. 

Southern New England and Long Island are expected to suffer the brunt of the storm. Storm surges could reach up to five feet and wind gusts could reach 60 miles per hour.

“This is going to be a monster storm,” warned Today meteorologist Al Roker.

When the storm currently over Georgia merges with the storm over the Great Lakes region, it could result in a storm of historic proportions.

So much snow is expected, it could rank among the city's top ten storms, among them the Blizzard of '78 which dumped more than 27 inches of snow 35 years ago this week, the Christian Science Monitor reported.

Residents packed grocery stores to stock up on provisions. 

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency warned of possible power outages and encouraged residents to collect warm clothes and blankets, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"By all accounts, we are expecting a serious weather event," Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said.