Morning commuters walk against blowing snow Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in Chicago. As much as a foot of snow or more was forecast for some areas in the Northeast overnight Thursday into Friday, and temperatures were expected to plummet, with some areas seeing highs just above zero, according to the National Weather Service.

Kiichiro Sato / AP

Morning commuters walk against blowing snow Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in Chicago. As much as a foot of snow or more was forecast for some areas in the Northeast overnight Thursday into Friday, and temperatures were expected to plummet, with some areas seeing highs just above zero, according to the National Weather Service.