What people in major Northeast cities need to know about the big snowstorm

The busy Northeast corridor was in line for a winter wallop that was predicted to bring up to 2 to 3 feet of snow from northern New Jersey to Maine. Here's what residents of the big cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic need to know about the storm:

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THE STORM

The nor'easter was predicted to strengthen off the southern New England coast. Snow was expected to intensify and become heavy beginning Monday evening in Philadelphia, central New Jersey and New York City, Monday night in Boston and early Tuesday morning in Maine.

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SNOWSTORM VS. BLIZZARD: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for a huge swath of the region, meaning potential whiteout conditions as heavy snow swirls amid gusting wind. The weather service says a blizzard includes sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or greater and considerable falling snow that lasts for at least three hours. This storm is expected to last up to 36 hours in some locations, forecasters said.

AIR TRAVEL

Airlines canceled about 7,700 flights Monday and Tuesday because of the storm, mostly involving airports from Washington, D.C., to Boston. Boston's Logan Airport and Rhode Island's T.F. Green were closed Monday evening and no flights were expected to land or take off at either airport Tuesday.

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ON THE RAILS

Amtrak cut back on service Monday afternoon. Trains were running between Boston and Washington, but the railroad said passengers should expect fewer trains, especially north of New York.

BIG CITY TRANSIT

In the Boston area, officials were preparing to halt all MBTA transit service Tuesday. In New York, subway service was ending Monday night. New Jersey Transit also was shutting down late Monday; its train service may not be back until Thursday.

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NEW YORK

Up to 2 feet of snow was predicted, with the heaviest snow falling from about midnight Monday through Tuesday afternoon. About half the flights Monday at the region's three major airports were canceled. New York City streets will only be available to emergency vehicles starting late Monday, when the subway system was shutting down. All Broadway theaters were closed.

BOSTON

About 20 to 30 inches of snow was forecast for the city and its suburbs, with some locally higher amounts. Near-hurricane force winds were predicted for Cape Cod and the nearby islands. Gov. Charlie Baker banned all non-essential motor vehicle travel beginning at midnight and said 500 National Guard members were on standby.

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NEW JERSEY

The central part of the state was expected to get up to 2 feet of snow. Gov. Chris Christie asked people to stay home and only go out if there is an "absolute necessity." Flooding at the shore was a concern.

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

About 20 to 30 inches of snow was predicted, with more possible in isolated spots. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered a travel ban beginning at 9 p.m. Monday and said power outages could top 100,000 in the state.

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RHODE ISLAND

Gov. Gina Raimondo told Rhode Island residents to prepare for 2 to 3 feet of snow and expect to potentially be without power for days. Travel was banned indefinitely on all roads starting at midnight, and three major bridges were being shut down. Officials repeatedly urged people to not only stay off the roads but stay indoors. "Stay in your house until you hear otherwise," Raimondo said. State government, including the court system, was closed Tuesday, several cities and towns declared parking bans and public transit bus service was suspended.

PHILADELPHIA