NEW YORK: Authorities in northeastern US warned Sunday of a fast-moving winter storm that could cause regional chaos and dump as much as three feet (just under a meter) of snow on New York.

With parts of the region already hit by a strong winter system over the weekend, New Yorkers braced for what Mayor Bill de Blasio said could be a storm “the likes of which we've never seen before.”

“We are facing most likely one of the largest snow storms in the history of this city,” de Blasio told a news conference, telling residents to stay home if possible as up to three feet of snow blankets the city.

“My message to all New Yorkers is to prepare for something worse than we have seen before.”

The US Weather Channel referred to the cold blast as a “possibly historic” winter storm that would likely result in flight cancellations, delays and possible airport closures late Monday to Tuesday.

“Take every precaution, now is the time to get ready for this extreme weather,” de Blasio said. “Don't underestimate the storm.”

The National Weather Service said the stage was set for a major “nor'easter” storm that would affect parts of the region from Monday to Wednesday.

“This system will be responsible for heavy snowfall and strong winds, with blizzard conditions possible along coastal areas from New Jersey to Massachusetts,” the weather service said.

Blizzard warnings were in effect along the coast from central New Jersey to the Canadian border.

Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, meanwhile, were already preparing for the system, USA today reported.

15 to 30 centimetres of accumulation was possible for the US state of New Jersey up to eastern Massachusetts, the weather service said.

10 to 20 centimetres were expected further south in parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Ahead of the weekend's heavy snow, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called on people in the city to try to be helpful to each other.

“We ask that each and every single Boston resident look after their neighbour, be it someone you see outdoors or someone living next door,” he said.