Looking at rain right along the coast, but inland now were starting to see more and more snow. And as that snow fills in, thats when were going to start to see those amounts creeping up. Over a foot of snow in parts of the Shenandoah Valley. That is likely to start accumulating in washington, d. C. Heres what the system looks like making its way up the coast, starting this afternoon on into tonight and tomorrow. As that low pulls up, it draws in moisture from the atlantaic. Its also going to be bringing in beach erosion and coastal flooding because of the strong easterly effects of those winds. But the snow right now will be the big story. These are the accumulations we expect over the next 12 hours. Heaviest accumulation being here in West Virginia, virginia, and suburban washington, d. C. Then as we move into tomorrow, that snow accumulation starts to make its way to the north. As it does, were going to be looking at heavier and heavier snowfall. In fact, moving further up into the northeast in new england, we see even heavier amounts of snow, upwards of two feet places to the west of boston. So its looking pretty rough. And airport delays, right now over 1600, closing in on 2,000 delays or cancellations around the country. Almost 2,000 delays around the country. Washington, d. C. Dulles and Reagan National accounting for a good 600 cancellations alone. Chicago, over 100 cancellations today. And new york seeing over 100 cancellations so far and were just getting wound up. So we continue to track this system. Its going to be a slow one. Were looking for the effects of this thing to be felt at least through friday afternoon. So well be tracking it for a long, long time. Coming up, were going to take a look at your western weather before its all over. Now back to matt. It will be a busy morning, al, for you. Well check in with you often. Thank you very much. Another big story were following this morning, a major change coming if you fly. Its stirring up a lot of controversy. Starting next month for the First Time Since 9 11, passengers will be allowed to carry some knives on to flights. Nbcs justice correspondent Pete Williams is at Reagan National airport. Good morning, pete. Reporter Reagan National pretty much shut down right now, matt, but the tsa says the whole idea here is to avoid hassles for the millions of americans who carry pocket knives and free screeners for having to search for knives that cant bring down a plane and they say with hardened cockpit doors, knives are less of a threat. Its been in place for more than a decade, Strict Airline security rule that forbids passengers to carry knives on board with them. Thats about to change. Tsa says its part of an effort to focus the attention of screeners on the most serious threats. We are trying to focus on the highest risks. That being the nonmetallic improvised explosive devices and we dont want the small knives, pocket knives, sporting equipment to be a distraction. Reporter the change also brings the u. S. In line with International Security rules, allowing knives that have blades up to six centimeters long. Beginning next month, passengers can carry on knives with folding blades no longer than 2 1 3 inches, six centimeters and half an inch thick. Knives that lock into place or have molded handles will still be banned. Same for box cutters and razor blades, still banned. Hockey stick, pool cues and golf clubs. Some 35 million americans carry pocketknife. Early reaction we sampled were negative. I dont like it. I dont know why they would allow people to carry knives on the plane. Its ridiculous to me. Reporter flight attendants say the move increases the risk to them. We believe this is a slippery slope. What will be the next weapon that can come on board . Were there to protect and serve passengers and also ourselves. We dont want to see weapons unnecessarily introduced on board the aircraft. Reporter passengers will also be allowed to carry on souvenir baseball bats. Matter of fact, any bat up to 24 inches long and weighing up to 24 ounces. All this goes into effect april 25th and there will be no change on the ban on liquids. Savannah . Pete williams, thank you. We actually have some of the knives that helps you visualize the size of these would be okay, 2 1 3 inches, six centimeters. The average Swiss Army Knife is now permitted. You, on the other hand that is not going to be allowed on the flight. Not only because the blade is too big, but because it locks in place, much more dangerous weapon. Ski poles okay. Pool cues, baseball bats and only hockey sticks, but only if its like this one and its for hockey in 1948, apparently, then its allowed. New rules coming to an airport near you. Pucks permitted as well. On wall street the trading day begins with the dow at a new alltime high, closing at 14,253, well above the previous record set in 2007. Jim cramer, host of mad money joins us. A lot of people want to say happy times are here again. First, lets get to what is driving up the market this time. This is all profits of companies. These companies are not hiring people. When you see gross domestic product, hiring not affected at all. These companies are just doing well. People also point to the feds stimulus efforts, the pumping of money into the economy, which raises the question, is this another sugar high . You take that away, does it all kind of collapse on itself . You take it away, it will definitely hurt the market. No doubt about it. The fed has said theyre not about to make that happen. If you see unemployment get better, they will relax and the stock market will go down a little bit. You mentioned the employment picture. The dow is not coextensive with whats happening in the economy. We still have high unemployment and midline growth. Dow 30 stocks, the vast majority have not hired a person during this period, during this runup. It is totally disconnected from what people are really feeling. Thats why so many people feel badly yet the stock market is so good. The stock market is good but this is depressing what i hear you saying. These companies have learned how to do more, how to continue to make huge profits with fewer employees, getting more productivity out of their employees. Thats the whole thing. You would be surprised to see how many of these Bigger Companies have far fewer employees. Dont expect them to be the ones to pick up the employment slack. We talked about a sugar high. Whenever weve seen the stock market go high, people think is this a bubble thats about to burst . Isnt that the right thing to think . I cant tell you how many times ive been here and it was time to sell. At least a lot of these stocks have good dividends, be able to take some income in. Thats okay. Really quickly, do you think it is time to get into the market . A lot of people sitting out for the last few years think suddenly its looking pretty good. Is this the worst time to get in . If i came in at the alltime high and said its a great time to come in, i have learned nothing. There will be other opportunities, stock that is will go down and thats your chance. All right, jim, thank you. Appreciate it. Natalie is here with the headlines. Youre starting in russia today. Thats right. Big story there. We begin with what police are calling a shocking confession in a crime that made international headlines. Russian police say a star dancer with the renowned bolshoi ballet has admitted to the attack on ballets artistic director who suffered severe burns to his hands and face. The 29yearold dancer, who recently danced the title role in ivan the great was motivated by personal hatred. President obamas nominee to head the cia has cleared a major hurdle, voting tuesday to approve adviser john brennan only after the white house gave senators access to classified documents used to justify the use of drone attacks against terror suspects. Federal Health Officials are warning about an alarming increase in hospital super bugs, common bacteria that become resistant to even the strongest antibiotics. The cdc recommends battling the super bugs through increased hygiene and a greater effort to identify and isolate patients who have them. A crane collapse caught on tape caused anxious moments on the oregon waterfront. Officials say the crane buckled. Fortunately, the electricity there had been turned off. As you heard, the internet is burning up with speculation about the sex of the duchess of cambridges baby after the duchess may have slipped with a clue. British papers are having a field day with it, saying Kate Middleton suggested she is having a girl. It all started when kate was given a teddy bear and reportedly said, thank you, i will take that for my d but did not finish the word. This morning, we have the actual tape of the exchange, you be the judge. See if she exclosed anything at all. Thank you. If you could hear that, that is. You could be the judge. Later asked specifically about the sex of the child, which is due in july, she said she and prince william, of course, are not telling. Lets just make sure we understand that. Headlines like the ones were going to show right now that are all over the place, proclaiming that perhaps she is having a girl were based solely on the tape we just heard or didnt hear . You cant hear a thing. If you were there, you could hear it more clearly. Thats what i was going to ask you. Evident thely the whom to whom she spoke right. She was like, you know. And she was like, were not telling. Play it again. Turn it up. Thank you. Thats lovely. Unless you can read lips, really make that out. I dont know. Get a grip, everybody. Get a grip. Four months to go. Its only going to get worse. Natalie, thanks so much. Lets go back out to al who is in front royal, virginia, in the storm and with the national forecast. Good morning to you. Reporter hey, good morning, guys. The winds are picking up here now. Visibilities are going to be a kna factor as folks are driving on the road. Of course, there are other folks who arent affected by this storm system. We want to give you your weather. Our friends in the west. A big storm system moving on shore. Its going to bring a lot of rain. Also going to bring mountain snows into the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, youre going to see rain, a temperature of 51 degrees. Same for eugene. Look for a nice day in l. A. Today. San diego, sunshine, 76 degrees. Salt lake looking good. In fact, the western half of the country going to be spectacular. As bad as it is in the northeast, we have a lot of sunshine in the northwest. Denver, 36 degrees. Rest of the country, look for plenty of sunshine from texas on up into the plains. Going to be a little on the chilly side there. A few lakeeffect snow showers around the central great lakes. We expect more heavy rainmaking its way into the Pacific Northwest with mountain snows in the central rockies. Look for a lot of wind and a lot of rainmaking its way into the northeast. Of course, that snow going to be affecting new england. Were going to get to your local forecast in just a moment. First, weve got this message for you. Dont go away. On the things i buy the most. [ woman ] its as easy as. One two. [ all ] three [ male announcer ] the bankamericard cash rewards credit card. Apply online or at a bank of america near you. Announcer today in the bay weather is sponsored by bank of the west. Good morning to you. We are getting a break from the steady rain and gusty winds have started to taper off. Its breezy. Slick conditions aa cross the board. Well continue to see the spotty, off and on activity throughout the afternoon. You need your coat and umbrella today. Highs only registering in the upper 50s. 61 degrees on the way for gilroy. 56 in san jose. Your 7day outlook shows a different scenario next week. 74 on monday. Reporter and in the last 15 minutes, its kind of interesting looking at how the snow has changed from these big, fat, wet, fluffy flakes to something your crystal and granular. This is going to be a very long and arduous system, savannah. Al roker, tracking the storm flake by flake. Thank you so much. We move on now to the death of venezuelan president hugo chavez. He was a polarizing and outspoken figure. U. S. Officials are wondering how his passing will impact relations with the oil giant. Nbcs mark potter is in caracas this morning. Mark, good morning to you. Reporter good morning, savannah. The mood in caracas is somber as venezuelans begin seven days of national mourning. Even though chavez had long been ill and news of his condition had been worsening, many here were still surprised when he died, in part because of his larger than life personality. Venezuelas Vice President was clearly emotional as he announced the death of hugo chavez. Within minutes, crowds started gathering in the streets of caracas, chanting chavez lives and the struggle continues. Many were visibly shaken by the news. While in miami, venezuelan exiles took to the streets with a very different reaction. In a statement, president obama reaffirmed the u. S. s interest in developing a constructive relationship with the venezuelan government. But for years that relationship has been contentious. Chavez embraced Cubas Fidel Castro and sided with mahmoud ahmadinejad. In a speech to the u. N. General assembly, he had called then president george bush the devil. Translator yesterday the devil came here, right here. Reporter venezuelas Vice President will serve as interim president with elections to be called within 30 days. Officials in washington will be watching closely. Venezuela has the worlds second largest known oil reserves behind saudi arabia. As the fourth largest supplier of oil to the u. S. Has a hand in every american gas tank. Experts dont expect any Immediate Impact from chavezs death but say change could come down the road. This certainly ushers in a new opportunity for the people of venezuela. Reporter former congresswoman is guarded. Will it be the dawn of a new democracy . That remains to be seen. Reporter today, chavezs body will be brought to the military academy where he was trained and he will be buried on friday. A man who clearly made a dramatic mark on latin america. Matt . Mark potter, thank you very much. Take a look at this pretty image right now at the bay bridge out in the bay area of california. Its been transformed overnight into the Worlds Largest light sculpture. Nbcs Gabe Gutierrez is there. Gabe, good morning. Pretty backdrop. Reporter yes, it is, matt. Its called the bay lights. The display came to life in spectacular fashion just a few hours ago. Not with the flip of a switch, but the tap of a touch pad. Five, four, three, two reporter in a city that prides itself on bright ideas, this one stands out. The new public art project on San Franciscos bay bridge is being billed as the Worlds Largest l. E. D. Light sculpture. The bay bridge is beautiful, too. I wanted to find a way to let this bridge shine in the regions consciousness once more. Reporter first opened in 1936, the bay bridge is the lesser known, harder working cousin of the Golden Gate Bridge, carrying more than twice as much annual traffic. To raise the bridges profile, davis turned to artist leo villarreal, best known for light sculptures in new york and washington, d. C. For this project, called the bay lights, villarreal is using 25,000 white bulbs to illuminate the bridges 1. 8mile west side. The movement of water, traffic. Reporter the everevolving pattern is controlled by a Software Program on his laptop, ensuring a different look every night. The bay lights follows in the footsteps of other big City Projects like the gates in central park and the waterfalls on new yorks east river. And like those other famous attractions, the price is right for spectators. What could be better . Free show, good friends. Reporter the cost to install and operate the bridge over the next two years will be about 8 million, paid for by private donors, some of whom can see the nightly art display from their homes. Matt . Gabe, thank you very much. By the way, the nice people of the bay area agreed to keep the lights on that bridge on a little longer for us. Normally it goes off at 2 00 am. Theyve held it for us this morning. So, we appreciate that. For 8 million, private donations to pay for it. And i think the electric bill counts for 7 million of that. The bay bridge to the Golden Gate Bridge, game on. Right. Can you imagine being the person stringing those light bulbs up there . Wow, thats not a job i would want. Martha stewart opens up in a live interview about taking the witness stand in a Bitter Court Battle over her brand. But first this is today on nbc. Announcer today in the bay weather is sponsored by bank of the west. Coming coming up. Fake an attempted murder . The publicity stunt being criticized for going way too far. Al, of course, is keeping an eye on that dangerous winter storm pounding the east coast as we speak. First well check your local news and your local forecast. R. And at 80 calories, its the lightest greek yogurt with fruit. Its creamy, thick texture helps satisfy you. So you wont feel like youre running low on satisfaction. Light fit greek. Be light and fit. And satisfied. 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