Heavy winter storm prompts blizzard warnings across East Coast ahead of Sunday snowfall

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings for major population centers from the Mid-Atlantic into New England as a strong late-winter storm intensifies while moving up the East Coast and threatens to disrupt travel and daily life starting Sunday.

Forecast models now show the system strengthening more than previously expected, with some areas from New York City through Long Island, southern Connecticut, coastal New Jersey and Delaware facing the possibility of 1 to 2 feet of snow. 

Ocean winds and tides could add flooding risks along the vulnerable coastline.

Meteorologists warn that snowfall could begin quietly in some locations as rain on Sunday before quickly changing over to heavy snow Sunday night. 

At times, snow may fall as fast as 2 inches per hour in the hardest-hit zones, with conditions beginning to ease by Monday afternoon.