More than 1,800 flights have been canceled in anticipation of a ferocious winter storm that’s expected to pound the Northeast beginning Friday. The storm, a combination of two systems colliding, could create a blizzard of historic proportions in the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for New York City and surrounding areas that will go into effect at 6 a.m. on Friday.

The weather system, dubbed “Winter Storm Nemo,” is expected to hit Massachusetts especially hard.

CNN:

The most severe weather is expected to hit Massachusetts between 2 and 5 p.m. on Friday.

Gov. Deval Patrick announced Thursday that all non-emergency workers should work from home. He canceled all school classes on Friday.

“Be a good neighbor. Check on the elderly,” he said, advising residents not to bring portable stoves, charcoal or gas grill indoors out of concern for potential fire hazards or carbon monoxide poisoning.

All vehicles must be off the roads by noon on Friday, and Boston’s public rail system will halt service at 3:30 p.m. A fleet of 600 snow removers will be manned by municipal workers and contractors as authorities gear up for what they say could be a 36-hour storm.

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— Posted by Tracy Bloom.