AKIPRESS.COM - A "potentially historic blizzard" could dump up to 90cm (3ft) of snow on the US north-east coast, the National Weather Service (NWS) has warned.

It issued a blizzard warning for New York and Boston from Monday afternoon until Tuesday, according to U.S. media.

"This could be a storm the likes of which we have never seen before," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Heavy snowfall is also predicted from Philadelphia to Main. Hundreds of flights are expected to be cancelled.

Some to New York and Boston have already been affected.

At a new conference, Mayor de Blasio told city residents to stay off the roads.

"Prepare to be safe, take every precaution. Now is the time to get ready for this extreme weather," he said.

Some residents have already begun stocking up on food, water and other essential items.

New York's biggest snowstorm on record was in 2006, when nearly 70cm of snow fell.