During an interview with the news channel NY1, Cuomo said the combination of snow, wind and frigid temperatures create "terrible conditions" that are projected to further deteriorate on Thursday.
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warning for parts of the US states of Delaware, Virginia and Maryland, as well as coastal New Jersey and New York.
Thousands of homes are reportedly left without power due to the storm.
Flights have been temporarily suspended at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, according to the airport’s official Twitter account.