page_title: March 2017 North American blizzard
section_title: Mid-Atlantic (United States)
hierarchical_section_title: March 2017 North American blizzard / Preparations / Mid-Atlantic (United States)
caption_attribution_description: English: Satellite image of a developing nor'easter on March 13, 2017, that will bring extremely heavy snow to the Northeast.
context_page_description: The March 2017 North American Blizzard was a major late-season blizzard that affected the Northeastern United States, New England and Canada, dumping up to 3 feet of snow in the hardest hit areas, mainly New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Southern Quebec. Forming out of an extratropical cyclone near the Northwest, the storm system dived into the northern portions of the United States, dropping light to moderate snow across the Great Lakes, Upper Midwest on March 11–12 before reaching the Ohio Valley the next day. It later coalesced into a powerful nor'easter off the East Coast, producing a swath of heavy snowfall across a large portion of the Northeast. The storm was given various unofficial names, such as Winter Storm Stella, Blizzard Eugene, and Blizzard of 2017.
  Ahead of the storm, residents prepared in advance for the major nor'easter, with blizzard warnings issued for several states, including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Several officials had crews with salt trucks ready to deploy to clear roads.
context_section_description: On March 11, the National Weather Service issued blizzard watches for parts of the Northeast, including New York City.
  Late on March 12, officials issued a hazardous travel advisory in advance of the storm, which was predicted to bring up to 18 inches (46 cm) of snow to parts of the state, including Staten Island.
  The following day on March 13, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio urged the residents of the region to avoid traveling at any point due to the dangerous conditions and also allowing for sanitation crews to respond faster. The New York City Department of Sanitation said that they had nearly 700 salt spreaders across the boroughs of the state, and 1,600 plows would be dispatched to clear the roadways. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo advised everyone in a statement that "[I] encourage all New Yorkers in affected regions to plan ahead, and avoid any unnecessary travel as the storm progresses,"  and also said to expect disruptions to travel and transportation.
  A state of emergency was declared in New York City on March 13, in which the subway system will be shut down on March 14. The state also declared state of emergency.
  On March 13, a snow emergency was declared for Philadelphia, which was to go into effect later that night. 50,000 tons of salt were said to be available and salting would begin when the snow arrived. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed a proclamation of disaster that day and stated that speeds would be restricted on most major freeways. Several businesses and attractions in Philadelphia closed on March 14 including the Philadelphia Zoo and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. SEPTA made changes to bus and train service in anticipation of the storm, with service on several bus routes altered or suspended and Regional Rail service running on a modified Saturday schedule on March 14. Several flights at Philadelphia International Airport on March 14 were cancelled in anticipation of the storm. The Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority and Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority cancelled all service on March 14. The United States Postal Service closed post offices and cancelled mail delivery for several locations in Pennsylvania on March 14.
  Schools in Northern New Jersey have announced closures for Tuesday. A state of emergency was later declared by Governor Chris Christie, with state offices closed on March 14. New Jersey Transit suspended bus service starting at midnight on March 14 and implemented weekend schedules on commuter rail and light rail lines for March 14. PATCO Speedline announced they would be operating on a reduced snow schedule on March 14.
  In Delaware, Governor John Carney issued a level one driving warning for New Castle County and DMV offices in New Castle County were closed on March 14.
  Washington, D.C., was issued a winter storm warning on March 13. MetroAccess is issued to shut down on March 14.
  Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe also declared a state of emergency late on March 13. The state of emergency was to allow state agencies to assist local governments as they respond to the storm. Roughly 4,500 pieces of equipment were ready to plow once snow totals began to exceed two inches.
  A state of emergency was declared in Maryland by Governor Larry Hogan, urging people to prepare for the storm and stay off the roads.
caption: The precursor to the blizzard developing over the Southeastern United States on March 13
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