New York welcomed the first day of spring Friday with a snow storm that could dump up to six inches (15 centimeters) in parts of the northeastern United States.

More than 820 flights were cancelled to and from the three airports servicing America's largest city, according to the FlightAware website as snow fell unrelentingly over Manhattan.

More than 1,150 flights were cancelled within, to or from the United States on Friday, including to and from airports in Washington DC, Boston and Philadelphia, the website said.

The National Weather Service put a winter weather advisory into effect from Northern Virginia to southern New England, forecasting three to six inches (7.6 to 15 cm) of snow in some areas.

"The calendar now says late March along with the official arrival of spring, but Old Man Winter is determined to show who's boss for a little longer," said its website.

But in a nod to the shifting season, temperatures will stay moderate hovering around 0 Celsius, or low to mid 30s in Fahrenheit.

New York City issued a snow alert and said the winter weather advisory would remain in effect until Saturday 2am (0600 GMT).

Rain was likely to mix with snow on Friday evening before transitioning back to snow overnight, city hall said.

Chris Christie, the Republican governor of the neighboring state of New Jersey said speed restrictions were in place and that 1,250 trucks were plowing and spreading salt to keep up with the storm.

"The snow is intensifying and as temperatures drop, road conditions are expected to worsen. So if you can stay off the roads tonight, pls do," he tweeted to his half a million followers.

The rare spring-time snow follows one of the coldest Februaries on record in the northeast.

Boston, just over 200 miles (320 kilometers) northeast of New York, broke its record for the most snow in one winter with 108.6 inches (275.8 cm) at the city's Logan airport.