>> good morning, john. we have been getting hammered. it started snowing new year's eve day and it has not stopped. throughout the night, snow continuing to pile up in chicago, millions from the midwest to new england will be impacted by the new year's first major snowstorm, bringing with it blizzard-like conditions and dangerously cold temperatures. some parts could see more than a foot of snow. >> it seemed like it's been snowing since we -- winter got here. >> reporter: boston already declaring a snow emergency and planning to close public schools on friday. the massive winter storm already wreaking havoc. >> stay off the road. >> reporter: more than 200 spinouts reported in minneapolis alone as ice blankets the roads. frigid temps complicating rescue efforts in the twin cities as firefighters had to be rotated in and out of the front lines of this raging apartment fire. >> our nozzles have a tendency to freeze up if we don't keep