Blizzard warnings issued for New York area as storm heads to East Coast

WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Blizzard warnings were issued on Saturday for New York City and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut as a major storm was forecast to hit a large swathe of the East Coast.

Snow and storm warnings were in effect from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast, with heavy snow and strong winds forecast from Sunday to Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

* Up to 1.5 feet (46 cm) of snow was forecast in and aroundNew York City, including Long Island, NWS said. * A combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds will hitNew Jersey to southeastern New England particularly hard. * First blizzard warning in New York City since 2017. * Winds of 25 to 35 mph (40 to 56 kph) with gusts 45 to 55mph expected Sunday night * Strongest impact will be on the coast * Minor to widespread flood potential in coastal areas * Strong winds will likely result in power outages, NWSsaid. * Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas are under winterstorm watch

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Rod Nickel)