Cape Cod National Seashore was one of many National Park System units closing ahead of a potent winter storm/NPS

A potent winter storming bearing down on the East Coast had units of the National Park System from North Carolina to Massachusetts preparing Friday to close.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm was expected to bring heavy snow from the Mid-Atlantic states to New England on Saturday.

"Moderate to heavy snow and gusty winds are forecast to materialize along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts this evening as the low arrives off the coast of North Carolina. Some moderate to heavy amounts are also likely to spread into parts of the Central and Southern Appalachians," read the agency's forecast Friday. "Heavy snow and intense winds are then expected to develop over New England on Saturday as the Nor'easter continues to intensify off the Northeast coast. Blizzard conditions are forecast from eastern Long Island through much of coastal New England, particularly from southeast Maine to Cape Cod. This will make travel nearly impossible."

At Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts, Superintendent Brian Carlstrom announced the following facility closures for visitor, resident, and employee safety:

• Salt Pond Visitor Center: Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
• Beaches: Access points to all six national seashore beaches and parking lots were closed beginning the afternoon of January 28.
• Roads: Province Lands Road in Provincetown and the Marconi Site Road in Wellfleet were closed beginning the afternoon of January 28.

Facility reopening depends on the storm's severity; damage assessments; and ability to clear roads, parking lots, and entrances to provide safe access.

"This has the potential to be a catastrophic storm," a seashore release said, "with damaging wind; heavy, wet snow; and extended power outages. Seashore managers urge visitors and residents to stay abreast of local conditions and warnings, to respect facility closures, and to heed the direction of public safety officials."

Skyline Drive along the length of Shenandoah National Park closed Friday due to the approaching storm. Also closed was Newfound Gap Road across Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Cherokee, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

On the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Wright Brothers National Memorial and the visitor centers at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Bodie Island Light Station at Cape Hatteras National Seashore would not open Saturday until noon local time. The National Park Service will reassess conditions Saturday morning and may open later than 12 p.m., if necessary. From Jan. 29-30, visitors should check park websites and social media for operational updates prior to traveling to the parks. Visitors can also sign up to receive text alerts by texting NPSOBX to 333111.

Elsewhere along the East Coast, park units that planned to be closed Saturday included:

• Hamilton Grange National Memorial in New York City.
• Lowell National Historical Park in Massachusetts.
• General Grant National Memorial in New York.
• Statue of Liberty National Monument in New Jersey.
• Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
• Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland and Virginia.
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Massachusetts.