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

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THE FORECAST

The nor'easter was winding up over the Carolinas and was predicted to strengthen off the southern New England coast. Snow was expected to intensify and become heavy beginning Tuesday afternoon in Philadelphia and central New Jersey, Monday evening in 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 white-out 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.

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AIR TRAVEL

Airlines canceled more than 5,000 flights Monday and Tuesday because of the storm. United Airlines canceled all flights in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. New York's LaGuardia Airport had half its flights scratched Monday. Boston's Logan Airport was closing Monday evening and no flights were expected to land or take off Tuesday.

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ON THE RAILS

Amtrak was operating a normal schedule Monday, but said it would re-evaluate as conditions warrant. It said announcements about service changes would be made as far in advance as possible, but it also encouraged passengers to watch the weather closely.

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BIG CITY TRANSIT

Transit service was expected to be curtailed. In the Boston area, officials were preparing to halt all MBTA transit service Tuesday. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York City will have limited subway service beginning Monday evening and that Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road service will stop later Monday night. New Jersey Transit will shut down late Monday.

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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. Winds will be strongest across eastern Long Island. About half the flights Monday at the region's three major airports were canceled.

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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. 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 also a concern.

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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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PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Accumulations of around 20 to 30 inches were expected with locally higher amounts possible. Winds could approach 75 mph. Providence issued a citywide on-street parking ban.

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PHILADELPHIA

Snow began falling Monday, but the storm was expected to begin in earnest later in the day. About a foot was expected before the storm ends. Schools in Philadelphia closed at mid-day Monday.

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WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE

Washington, D.C., was expected to get up to 4 inches of snow and Baltimore up to 6. The worst of the storm was expected Monday night into Tuesday. The U.S. House postponed votes scheduled for Monday night through Tuesday afternoon.