Massachusetts schools close ahead of second nor'easter

March 7 (UPI) -- Schools in several Massachusetts districts were ordered closed Thursday as the Northeast prepares for a second winter storm in as many weeks.

Public schools in Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Somerville will be closed as heavy winds and snow are expected to hit the area, the Boston Globe reported.

"Boston Schools are closed tomorrow due to the worsening forecast," Boston Public Schools wrote on Twitter Wednesday. "School buses will not be running. However, administrative offices will be open; administrative employees are to report to work."

Residents throughout the Northeast were bracing for another round of winter weather that paralyzed the Midwest this week -- causing snow-packed and icy roads, power outages and at least 1,500 flight cancellations.

The eastward-moving storm dumped enough snow and ice on South Dakota to cause travel disruptions as key thoroughfares were shut down, including the entire 252-mile stretch of Interstate 29.

As the storm moved northeast Wednesday, more than 50 million people were under a storm watch or warning, with some areas expecting up to 18 inches snow.

Forecasters said a combination of heavy, wet snow with strong winds could lead to power outages for millions -- a repeat of last week's nor'easter that left 2 million homes and businesses in the dark.

Very heavy snow accumulating FAST in Beersville, PA. Not sure exactly how much snow is currently on the ground. Probably ~2". Visibility less than 1/4 currently @VWeatherWatcher pic.twitter.com/ayrL4shCGc

- Lehigh & Delaware Valley Weather Authority (@LDVWeather) March 7, 2018

Airports in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia canceled more than 1,500 flights by Wednesday morning. By the evening, flight-tracking website FlightAware reported more than 2,769 cancellations and 2,143 delays nationwide. The website's MiseryMap showed most of the delays involve flights in and out of the Northeast.

States of emergency were declared Tuesday for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and New York issued travel advisories in the state, some of which was forecast to see 16 inches of snow.

Accumulations of up to a foot were expected in parts of northern New Jersey and into New England, and are expected to dissipate early Thursday as the storm moves offshore.

Roosevelt Fire District first responders got quite the scare during the nor'easter. Check out this must-see video. pic.twitter.com/MPOMnfD8ns

- CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) March 6, 2018