WASHINGTON, Jumada II 15, 1438, March 14, 2017, SPA -- A snowstorm pummeled the U.S. Northeast Tuesday, paralyzing much of the Washington-to-Boston corridor after a remarkably mild winter. The powerful storm grounded more than 5,000 flights, closed schools in big cities, and prompted warnings to stay off the roads. Blizzard warnings were issued for parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Flight cancellations included more than 2,800 in the New York City area alone. Amtrak canceled or modified service up and down the Northeast Corridor. The above-ground portions of the New York subway system were being shut down. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the entire state and instructed non-essential state employees to stay home. In Washington, the federal government announced a three-hour delayed arrival for non-emergency employees, with an option to take the day off or telecommute. Schools in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and elsewhere were closed. --SPA 19:46 LOCAL TIME 16:46 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w353411