Watching a massive winter storm from space (pictures)

Satellite images captured by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system (GOES) reveal a clear picture of the staggering winter storm bearing down on the East Coast of the United States.

The potentially record-breaking storm is believed to be capable of dumping more than 2-3 feet of snow across wide parts of New England, including the heavily populated New York and Boston areas.

A view of the winter storm, being nicknamed "Nemo" by the Weather Channel, is seen here closing in on New England earlier today at 2:15 p.m. ET.

The size of the storm is frightening, and the images are eerily similar to satellite views of superstorm Sandy which devastated the Northeast region in late October 2012.

This satellite image from NOAA's GOES-13 satellite shows the infrared view of the winter storm closing in on New England.

In preparation for the potential turmoil the snowstorm could cause, subways have been closed, train services suspended, and more than 3,000 airlines flights in and out of the region have been canceled.

When looking at these satellite images, it's easy to draw comparisons to superstorm Sandy which devastated the Northeast region in late October.

The winter storm closing in on New England is expected to hit the Northeast tonight and through Saturday morning. It's seen here in an image captured by the GOES-13 satellite today at 2:31 p.m. ET.

The massive winter storm closing in on New England is seen here at 2:45 p.m. ET. The storm is expected to dump 2-3 feet of snow across much of the region, from New York to Maine.

A satellite image of the winter storm closing in on New England at 3:15 p.m. ET.

This image was taken at 3:15 p.m. ET on February 8, hours before the storm is expected to hit the region hardest.

This image was taken at 3:31 p.m. ET on February 8, hours before the storm is expected to hit the region hardest.