TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – A developing nor’easter headed up the East Coast on Saturday with a threat of heavy snow, canceling flights and putting road crews on overtime but cheering up skiers in a region spared harsh weather for most of this season.

Blizzard warnings were posted from the New York City area into eastern New England, where up to 15 inches of snow was possible, and a winter storm warning was issued for most of New Jersey, the National Weather Service said. Heavy snow warnings were in effect from eastern Kentucky to southeastern New York state.

Delta Air Lines said it was canceling its Sunday arrivals and departures at several airports in the storm’s path, including those in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Newark, N.J.; Providence, R.I.; Washington, D.C. and Hartford, Conn.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation had 600 trucks ready to plow snow and spread salt, plus 1,100 contractor trucks, the department said. The department also had its regular maintenance staff of 735 employees, plus more than 400 other state employees, available to operate plows.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had more than 160 pieces of heavy snow equipment at the New York region’s Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.

In Connecticut, forecasters predicted up to 12 inches of snow, with the highest totals along the shoreline.

Snow was expected to start Saturday evening and become heavy after midnight before tapering off Sunday afternoon.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell urged residents to stay off the roads if possible.

“Take it easy out there and just use common sense,” she said. “We want everyone to get through this weekend storm safe and sound.”

Despite the likelihood that drivers would have to dig their cars out Sunday morning, the storm was great news for northern New Jersey’s Hidden Valley Resort and its 12 ski slopes, said Roni Mattiello, director of snow sports.

“It means great, fresh powder to ski in tomorrow,” Mattiello said. “It will help us open terrain on the mountain that hasn’t been opened yet because of the mild winter.”

“Everyone is psyched and pumped up for skiing,” she said.

Not all sports fans were elated, however. New York’s Aqueduct race track canceled Sunday’s horse racing schedule.

AP-ES-02-11-06 1522EST

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