The nation’s capital was at a standstill Tuesday evening as snow continued falling at a rate of about an inch an hour — while commuters across the Northeast struggled to get home through blizzard-like conditions and snow coming down harder and faster than many people expected.

The wintry wallop brought more than a foot of snow in some areas and another blast of arctic air, snarling traffic, closing schools and shutting down the federal government.

Initially forecast to be a modest blurt of cold weather, the system has intensified, unleashing wind-driven snow and frosty air on the Northeast Tuesday night into Wednesday.

The National Weather Service said Manalapan, N.J., got 15.5 inches of snow, Philadelphia got slightly more than a foot and Brookhaven, near Philadelphia's airport, got 15. It said parts of New York City had 10 inches.

In D.C., most offices of the government were shut down Tuesday — although the Supreme Court justices did show up for work — and officials were asking residents to stay off the roads.

"We've had about 80+ calls for personal injury collisions today," said Scott Graham, assistant chief of nearby Montgomery County, Md., Fire and Rescue, told NBCWashington. "Some of which have been very minor... turning out to be property damage; some more significant, with minor traumatic injuries, vehicles overturning."

The capital was set to see about a half-foot of snow and wind gusts of 30 mph, while Boston could see around 8 inches and wind gusts up to 40 mph.

Meanwhile, governors in Delaware, New Jersey and New York on Tuesday afternoon declared states of emergency as blizzard conditions hit along the heavily