Blizzard warnings were issued Saturday for New York City, New Jersey, southern New England and coastal communities along the East Coast.

A rapidly intensifying nor’easter slammed New York City and much of the Northeast from Sunday into Monday, bringing heavy snow, powerful winds, and dangerous blizzard conditions.

The weather service warned that the storm, with gusts up to 55 mph (80 kph), could cause whiteout conditions that “will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.