The severe weather, with cold rain and winds gusting to a maximum of 55 mph (96 kmh), came just over a week after hurricane-strength storm Sandy wreaked serious damage on the region and caused travel chaos.

American Airlines and American Eagle were the latest to announce a suspension in Philadelphia from 1700 GMT and in New York-area airports by 2000 GMT, affecting about 290 flights.

Operations were to resume normally once the gale passes on Thursday.

United Airlines had already announced similar measures, with flights from John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark airports around New York being suspended.

The Port Authority, which runs the airports, said "due to inclement weather forecasted for Wednesday, November 7th through Thursday, November 8th, travelers (at JFK) should check with their airlines for the status of their flights."

The gale is not nearly as powerful as Sandy, but it caused concern for the tens of thousands of people around New York who remain without power, and often heating, after Sandy.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday announced a limited evacuation of some neighborhoods ahead of possible flooding.

Sandy, which began as a deadly hurricane in the Caribbean, slammed 15 eastern US states and prompted a huge tidal surge that killed at least 109 people in the United States and Canada and caused tens of billions of dollars worth of damage.

The coastal regions of New York and New Jersey were hardest-hit when Sandy crashed ashore on October 29.