A snow storm has blanketed the northeastern United States with up to 74 centimeters of snow, disrupting air and rail travel and challenging motorists at the end of the busy Christmas weekend.

New York and surrounding areas were the hardest hit. Its three main airports, JFK, La Guardia and Newark's Liberty, were closed Sunday night and at least 2,000 flights cancelled.

More than 2,400 sanitation workers are working 12-hour shifts to clear streets. Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged New Yorkers to stay at home.

Michael Bloomberg, New York Mayor, said, "And to minimize inconvenience for themselves and others, New Yorkers, I would just urge should refrain from travel today, if they can avoid it and by tomorrow things will be a lot better, but it's a nice time to stay at home and enjoy the family and that will let our city workers, who are trying to clean the streets, have a little more flexibility."