Winter storm Mars hits New England with howling 65 mph winds, coastal flooding and heavy snow as 18 inches expected to be dumped in Cape Cod

A strong winter storm hit the Northeast on Monday with New England bearing the brunt, bringing howling winds, coastal flooding and threatening Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts with up to 18 inches of snow.

Storm Mars - which was named Sunday - had sparked a National Weather Service warning to more than two million people on the East Coast.

Blizzard conditions were verified on Nantucket Island early on Monday afternoon, according to The National Weather Service, where wind gusts up to 64 mph had been clocked.

In addition, coastal flooding was reported in several locations along the coast of Massachusetts. 

Powerful: A strong winter storm hit the Northeast centered on New England Monday, bringing howling winds, coastal flooding and threatening Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts with up to 18 inches of snow

Gusty: According to The National Weather Service, blizzard conditions had been verified on Nantucket Island early Monday afternoon, where wind gusts up to 64 mph had been clocked

Blizzard-like: A woman walks down the street in New Bedford, Massachusetts on Monday in Arctic conditions. The storm had sparked a National Weather Service warning to more than two million people on the East Coast

Bundled: Jean Brown bundles up as she walks in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, during winter storm Mars Monday. The heaviest snowfall was expected during Monday's morning commute through the afternoon

Dangerous: Vehicles cautiously make their way through downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts Monday during the powerful snowstorm 

A charter bus heading to the Mohegan Sun Casino flipped onto its side on the snow-covered Interstate 95 Monday, sending nearly than three dozen people to hospitals in Connecticut.

Officials say the Dahlia charter bus was on the way to the casino when it rolled over on the freeway around 12.30pm in Madison, Connecticut. 

At least 30 of the 55 people on the bus were rushed to Connecticut hospitals, as the remaining passengers were able to walk away from the scene.

According to ABC News, at least six people are in critical condition. 

For the past few hours, snow has been coming down due to the strong winter storm Mars that hit the Northeast centered on New England Monday morning. 

About two to three inches have coated the ground in Madison, Connecticut, causing several accidents on the roads Monday morning. 

A charter bus heading to the Mohegan Sun Casino flipped onto its side on the snow-covered Interstate 95 Monday, sending nearly than three dozen people to hospitals in Connecticut

Officials say the Dahlia charter bus was on the way to the casino when it rolled over on the freeway around 12.30pm in Madison, Connecticut

At least 30 of the 55 people on the bus were rushed to Connecticut hospitals, as the remaining passengers were able to walk away from the scene

In Cape Cod, up to six inches of snow has already been measured by officials, as the area is experiencing near-blizzard conditions. 

Much of the rest of Massachusetts and most of Connecticut are under a winter storm warning and could get as much as 10 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Boston could see six to 10 inches.

Other parts of the Northeast, including Northern New England and the New York City area, was expected to get much less snow. 

New York City, Philadelphia and northern New Jersey could get two to three inches from Monday into Tuesday night, the weather service said. Snow flurries had started to fall in New York City Monday morning, but stopped around 1pm. 

Snow from the storm bearing down on New England could last into Tuesday, when New Hampshire's first-in-the nation presidential primary is held.

National Weather Service meteorologist Stacie Hanes told The Boston Globe that the weather in New Hampshire 'will be fine' enough for voters to cast their vote in the primary. 

Clean-up: Jason Souza attempts to sweep the snow from a driveway in New Bedford, Massachusetts on Monday

A man makes his way up the street New in Bedford, Massachusetts while trying to cover his face from the wind and snow on Monday

Snow from the storm bearing down on New England could last into Tuesday, when New Hampshire's first-in-the nation presidential primary is held. National Weather Service meteorologist Stacie Hanes said that the weather in New Hampshire 'will be fine' enough for voters to cast their vote in the primary

Though a winter weather advisory is in effect for the entire state, the majority of New Hampshire is only expected to see several inches of snow Monday and Tuesday. 

Communities closer to the coast are expected to get up to eight inches of snow, but Hanes said that amount shouldn't keep people at home.  

'As always with winter weather, drive cautiously,' she told the Globe.

She added that the snow fall in New Hampshire will be 'light and fluffy' and that it could diminish some visibility.  

However, for some people, the snow meant some unpleasant outdoor work.   

Sean Nardone, a custodian for the U.S. Postal Service, was scheduled to spend the day shoveling and treating the front steps of several post offices south of Boston.

'I don't like it very much,' Nardone said as he tossed rock salt on the steps of the Whitman post office while a howling wind blew.

'I hope global warming friggin' helps out this winter,' he said. 'I hate to sound selfish, but I could use some warmth.'

Raj Patel, who co-owns a convenience store in Whitman, said the storm is good for business.

'It's convenient for the neighborhood. We are always open for them. In past storms, we've sold out of milk right away. Milk, bread, water — a lot of people walk from their homes, so we stay open,' he said.

Two men walk across the street in as seen through the frozen window pane of a cafe on Monday in New Bedford, Massachusetts

A passenger waits in the snow to board a bus at Kennedy Plaza in Providence, Rhode Island on Monday

This NOAA satellite image taken early Monday morning shows the strong storm working its way northward off shore near the Mid-Atlantic

Communities across the region closed schools and issued on-street parking bans.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker closed state offices in nine counties Monday, and state courts were closed in 10 counties.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which was crippled by a series of historic storms during Boston's record-breaking winter last year, was operating on a normal weekday schedule with winter routes in effect for buses. Although there were delays, no major problems were reported.

Ferry service to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard was suspended.

Public schools in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, were also closed Monday.

The combination of snow and wind is expected to create low visibility and dangerous travel conditions, particularly near coastal locations.

National Weather Service says that vulnerable roads and basements could be flooded. 

This comes just days after Storm Lexi, which also brought a heavy bout of snow to the region.  

Storm Mars comes just days after Storm Lexi (pictured) also brought a heavy bout of snow to the region

Second coming: Victory Park during winter storm Lexi, in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Friday