"We hope forecasts are exaggerating the amount of snow, but you never can tell, " Bloomberg said, adding that at least the bad weather is arriving on a weekend, when the traffic is lighter and snowplows can clean up the streets more easily.

WSJ: NYC, New England brace for up to 2 feet of snow

In the aftermath of the tsunami there were reports that so much unsolicited aid was arriving that local airstrips were struggling to handle the traffic.

CNN: Companies bolster relief effort

Air-traffic controllers are warning that the furloughs could force them to reduce the rate of flights arriving at big airports like Chicago's O'Hare International and Miami International by a third to a half during peak periods or bad weather.

WSJ: Airlines Dispute Planned Air-Controller Cuts