Most Snow Ever Recorded: How NYC Niko Blizzard Compares To Historical Snowfall In New York City

New Yorkers woke up to a winter blizzard Thursday that could pile on as much as 12 inches. Snow from "Winter Storm Niko" was falling at about one inch per hour, according to the Weather Channel.

Public transportation service was being reduced and the morning and evening commutes were expected to be severely affected before the storm was forecast to taper off by Thursday evening. Hundreds of flights were canceled at the three major airports in the metropolitan area, transit officials announced Wednesday night.

The Bronx borough was expected to get the brunt of the snowstorm, but the entire city was being covered by snow. In anticipation of the snowstorm, city schools were closed across the city's five boroughs. Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday's blizzard was forecast to be less severe than some previous storms that have dropped heavy amounts of snow on New York City. A list of past blizzards to hit the Big Apple follows below.

January 2016: Last January was the biggest snowstorm of them all, with 27.5 inches of snow, which killed at least nineteen people, NBC News reported.

February 2006: Snow piled up to 26.9 inches over more than two days, forcing city officials to cancel flights and rail service.

December 1947: The third largest blizzard in city history killed at least 77 people, with snow measuring at 26.8 inches in Central Park.

March 1888: A four-day blizzard brought 21 inches of snow, and the aftermath of it was disastrous -- it killed more than 200 people.

January 1996: The city was coated with 20.2 inches of snow, killing dozens of people, closing schools and cancelling Broadway shows, according to the New York Daily News.

February 2010: 20.9 inches

December 2010: 20 inches

February 2003: 19.8 inches

January 2011: 19 inches

January 1935: 18.1 inches

March 1941: 18.1 inches