clouds. hazy skies. what's new? its a broken record, i know. mostly sunny to partly sunny for some. 30s and 40s. temps seem to be coming up a little bit on the lows. 37 ukiah. 38 sacramento. that is not too bad for them. you can see the high clouds this weak little system. mostly sunny. 74 in watsonville yesterday. 70 in oakland. 50s and 60s. here is sal. we are looking at a commute that is doing very well on this friday. the traffic continues to look good at the bay bridge toll plaza. yesterday we didn't have much of a crowd here. we are not expecting a big one today. also it looks good on interstate 880 north and southbound. it is a nice looking drive all the way up through downtown. if you are driving this morning on 580 westbound that commute looks good. its 4:30. let's go back to the desk. >> thank you.

new this morning crews are still watching out for hot spots from a stubborn grass fire. it started shortly after 11:00 last night. a ktvu news crew was on the scene just moments later. investigators say the flames started in a homeless camp and quickly spread. some propane tanks created a hazard for the firefighters. >> the larger propane tanks when they get heated to a certain extent they can sometimes explode. that's what happened out there. that poses a risk to firefighters obviously. >> luckily no one was hurt. investigators are now trying to dinning room if someone in the homeless camp started the fire. claudine wong will have an update in a live report coming up at 5:00. the fbi is leading the investigation into a fire set by an arsonist at the entrance to the chinese consulate. so far no one has claimed

responsibility for the attack. a surveillance camera crossed the street caught the fire as it started about 9:30 wednesday night. person who set the fire is seen getting in and out of a mini van. some people whole live nearby say the whole thing makes them nervous. >> i thought it was a one-time incident but at this point the lightbulbs are turning and i wonder if its related to something else that may occur. >> >> the fbi says it does not appear to be an act of terrorism. at ktvu.com you will find continuing coverage of the consulate fire including an unedited look at that surveillance video. time is 4:32. the battle over jahi mcmath returns to an oakland courtroom

today. a federal judge hopes to broker a deal between the girl's family and oakland children's hospital. tara moriarty is live in oakland with the latest round in this tragic saga. >> reporter: we are here at alameda superior court where both teams will be meeting far settlement conference and two hours later they will head over to federal court. that is where a judge will hear a request for an order require feeding tubes to be installed so 13-year-old jahi mcmath could be moved to another facility. jahi's parents want them to insert a feeding tube. jahi has been on life support since december 12th when think pronounced her brain dead. their spokesperson said we extend our hearts and sympathy to jahi's family but their

request to have tubes installed isn't based on reality. coming up is there even a facility that will take jahi. live from oakland tara moriarty ktvu channel 2 news. the winter storm across the eastern u.s.. we have just learned jfk airport in new york is closed at this hour. the nasty weather is fouling up travel plans nation-wide as well. so far about 1,000 flights have been canceled for today. 2300 flights were canceled yesterday. and bay area airports also felt the pinch. dozens of flights were canceled yesterday. >> i was checking online for my flight status and it was canceled. so i did come here and they were able to rebook me. but not for another like 48 hours. >> boston's logan airport shut down operations late last night and officials hope to resume flights later this morning. 4:34.

california will have its first snow survey of the year but experts are not expecting to get much out of the results. northern california just completed its driest year since the weather service started keeping track back in 1921. that means going forward experts say january and february are critical. >> we need the rain now. and certainly we need the rain the next two or three months which is typically our wetter part of the wet season. we are certainly hoping for the best but planning for the worst. >> today's snow survey is expected to be about 20% of normal. that is a big difference from last year at this time when it was 150% of normal. the lack of snow is really hurting people who make their living from it. now one ski resort dodge ridge may stay closed for the entire season. that is only if the weather continues to stay dry for the rest of the season. but resort operators say they are optimistic. >> the weather patterns change every single year.

there are years we open in october and november. this isn't one of those years. it will change. it will snow. >> let's hope so. many businesses say they are stocked with boots, gloves, and sleds and ready for the snow. time is 4:35. the city of boston has declared a snow emergency because of up to two feet of snow is expected to fall today. live in the middle of this whiteout is reporter steve. how cold is it? >> reporter: it is so cold here. when we got out the door it was one degree this morning. and it is now warmed up to a balmy three degrees. and its not going to get warmer any time soon. we've had the snowfalling since yesterday afternoon. its a wind driven snow. been falling through the night. and it will fall until late morning at the very least. the snow just keeps piling up here in boston. heavy snow, poor visibility, and bitter cold has dominated

the northeast. the storm the national weather service warmed would raise havoc. the high tides at midday are expected to cause coastal flooding in massachusetts. >> its extraordinary how much is being done on the ground to prepare for this storm. >> reporter: officials did what they could getting crews out to salt the roads and close down the express way over night. new york's long island are expected to get blizzard conditions. >> wind gusts over 45 miles an hour. your visibility down to a quarter of a mile. >> reporter: bad driving conditions were only expected to get worse and the storm has already made a mess of air travel causing more than 2,000 flight cancellations in the region. and not to mention the delays nation-wide. some areas may seem buried by the snow but the nor'easter was only expected to make masters worse. now the snow is only half of

the problem with this storm. as you can see the wind gusts are really strong. up to 35 miles an hour add times. given the cold temperatures that means the windchill makes it feel like negative 25 degrees right now. and all of that snow is just getting blown all over the place. seeing lots of big snow drifts as well. reporting live in boston, back to you. >> thank you. this morning a man is fighting for his life after being hit by a car in san francisco. it happened on leaven worth and bush street. the man was running across the street. the driver was interviewed and released. the man is at san francisco general hospital. the police sergeant noted it has ban bad week for pedestrians as well. two people were killed on new years eve in the city. meantime san francisco based uber announced it has cut

ties with the driver involved in one of those crashes. he is charged with vehicular manslaughter. he hasn't worked at the -- or wasn't working at the time of the crash i should say. he told police he was driving around waiting for a fare. police say he was making a turn at polk and ellis street when he hit six-year-old sofia lou, four-year-old brother, and mother. sofia was killed, her brother remains in critical condition, and her brother in fair condition. yesterday bart's board of directors finally approved that contract with the transit agencies two largest unions. the board's 8-1 vote signaled an end to a long labor dispute. both management and union leaders admit there are still plenty of bitter filings despite the agreement. >> we are satisfied with the agreement but it will take a long time to heal after the type of campaign.

>> i think in the end its good for the unions. its good for the district. and particularly good for the riders. >> bart's atu union members are expected to vote today. sciu will vote on january 13th. bicyclists are getting excited about a new law that will keep them safer on the roads. officials say 40% of deadly crashes between bikes and cars happens from behind. the law goes into effect on september 16th. that makes california the 22nd state to require such a law. time is 4:40. a man is under arrest in connection with a shocking death of a popular brees. coming up in our 5:00 hour the contact he had with police just hours before the crime. a push to bring more 49ers

fans to the playoffs. good morning. right now we are looking at a commute that looks pretty good. san mateo bridge traffic looks good off to the high-rise. we'll tell you more about that straight ahead. if you are traveling to green bay, you might want to bundle up. below zero temperatures. here. will we continue to see those near 70 degrees?

welcome back. you're taking a live look in boston where the snow is obviously falling this morning. a major winter storm is pounding the east coast. and we just learned as well jfk airport is also shut down this morning. if you are heading there today, you are being encouraged to check the flight status. california health officials are warning people to get vaccinated for swine flu after a woman died in southern

california. so far more than a dozen people have also been hospitalized. only one person has tested for the h1n1 virus but more testing is still being done. now in terms of the normal flu virus, the cdc is reporting wide spread flu outbreaks mainly in the northeast. but plenty of cases have been reported in the south as well in texas, alabama, and louisiana. california is also seeing a spike in cases as well. and with high numbers of hospitalizations already, doctors say the worst is yet to come. >> flu season doesn't peak until late january or early february. >> more people are sick. you don't want to put yourself near them. that is how the flu spread. >> but its not too late to get yourself vaccinated which is the number one prevention for flu prevention.

young children and those age 30- 50 are most at risk. 4:45 is the time now. facebook being sued for violating electronic privacy laws. two users say facebook scans users private messages and shared the information with advertisers. they want facebook to stop doing that and they want $100 a day in damages for each day they violate electronic laws. facebook not commenting on the lawsuit. handful of 49ers fans say they are ready to brave the cold and heading out to green bay this morning. while it could be an epic playoff show down with the packers on sunday. temperatures are expected to be below zero at lambeau field and the game is not even sold out. the 49ers sent out an e-mail to season ticketholders offering special hotel and transportation packages. we found a couple fans that are braving it. >> even is saying -- everyone

is saying even layers. we have the long ons. we are ready. >> seven? try eight or nine. the manager at one hotel in milwaukee said the bus ride to green bay could take three hours in the snow. san francisco mayor ed lee has made a friendly wager. the loser has to visit a school in his hometown wearing a cap from the opposing team and read to children. also part of the bet the care package of local sweets to the winning city. now you can watch sunday's game right here on ktvu channel 2. fox coverage begins at 1:00 p.m.. kickoff set for 1:40. after the game we will have live coverage from green bay on the point after. but we are also airing a ktvu special road trip to a championship. you can catch it tonight after the cotton bowl or saturday at 10:00 a.m.

immediately followings mornings on 2. oakland startup could emerge as a big winner. goldy blocks is one of four finalists to win a free 30 second commercial during the game. the contest is sponsored by into it. goldy blocks makes toys for girls. the company was recently in the news over the parity of the song girls. time is 4:47. let's go to sal. keeping an eye on traffic. ready for this big weekend football? >> i don't think i want to leave the house. i will sit around and watch football. >> sounds good to me. >> good plan isn't it? the traffic is doing well around the bay area as we go to some of the pictures. bay bridge toll plaza looks good heading out to the westbound bay bridge into san francisco. it is a nice looking drive. no problems on the san mateo bridge. it has been a very nice drive.

also the morning commute looks good. also on the altamont pass. >> sal, how could you forget our book club meeting? >> oh okay. >> you're picking me upright? >> i can't get around this. it will be really cold. i mean we've seen high temps of one below with belows of 17 below for green bay on sunday. so we'll go zero at kickoff. minus three second quarter. minus six third quarter. and minus ten by the third quarter. so that temp will drop. it does not look that windy but there will still be a puff of a breeze. for us very tranquil and very quiet conditions. we've been there for a long, long time. yesterday was a perfect example. and today highs 60 to 70. i don't think the offshore push is as strong. 30s on the temps or 40s.

41 i think ourover sorer dave said in cc kit. here's the system. it looks like they're on the back edge of this. boston is still getting wrap around. i did see 13 to about 20 inches of snow. i know a couple locations had 20 plus. green bay is in the ticks and betweens or next system right there. that will give them light snow showers. this is just reenforcement of cold air. as high pressure builds northward that will drive the cold air toward the northern plains. mostly sunny high clouds hazy skies. afternoon temps they are probably 60-72. although 74 yesterday down in watsonville. how about that? it looks like a very quiet

pattern. although there are signs of cooler pattern next week. >> thank you. general mills is making changes to the original flavored cheerios. cheerios without genetically modified ingredients will start appearing on store shelves. general mills says the original cheerios are made with nongmo oats but now it will also use nongmo corn starch and sugar. the company says the change will not apply to other flavors of cheerios. new information on the suspected sal ma fell lam outbreak at a northern california cheese producer. they are trying to see if the problem happened at the plant or introduced outside. they are recalling all of their cashew cheese. . they have expiration dates up

to april 18th. they were sold at natural food stores. coming up a memorial honoring 16-year-old andy lopez goes up in flames. the new information we are learning this morning and why it may have been an accident. he's been living here illegally but now he can legally practice law. more on california's landmark ruling and how it could open doors for others.

this morning we have new information on the fire at a memorial until santa rosa. when an alter was built to remember lopez the 13-year-old boy who was shot and killed by a sheriffs deputy back until october. the fire early yesterday morning was an accident which was started by a burning candle. earlier there had been speculation the fire was intentionally set. volunteers now plan to spend this weekend rebuilding the memorial. people living in east oakland say they are struggling to keep their young children safe. dozens of people attended a vigil last night for 13-year- old lee weathersbee. they placed candles where he was shot and killed new years eve. he was gunned down less than a mile from his home. >> this is a 13-year-old child

that parished gun violence that wasn't even meant for him. >> he was walking home with two other boys when a car pulled up and a man got out and shot him. lee's school will hold a memorial for him next wednesday. city college of san francisco has received a bit of a break with its battle to keep the school from shutting down. a judge temporarily barred the accrediting commission from finalizing its plan to terminate city colleges accreditation as long as the matter is in litigation. the judge acknowledged the devastating effects limiting the accreditation it would have on the schools and students. sergio garcia says he hopes the california supreme court ruling allowing him to practice law even though he is in the u.s. illegally will open the door to other immigrants.

the supreme court nominated unanimously that he will be able to practice law in the united states legally. >> i know florida is facing the same issue. new york is facing the same issue. i really think they were both waiting on us to act. >> even though garcia has a law license, federal law makes it illegal for law firms to hire him. he plans to open his own practice and be a personal injury attorney in chico. there is a new push for a ballot initiative to fix potholes on california roads by increasing the vehicle license fee. a group called transportation california is proposing a 1% increase in the vehicle license fee to pay for fixing california's roads. a report from the research group trip rated the condition of more than half of bay area interstates and freeways as poor. >> they are pretty bad.

i've actually had to replace tires on my car because the potholes very recently. >> one problem is the current source of funding for road repairs is shrinking. that is due to more fuel efficient cars. a grass fire over night near a popular shopping mall. we want to go to live pictures at the scene. the big challenges firefighters were facing. and the important deadline san francisco is facing today in connection with last years deadly ash january know crash.

good morning. we are live after things are smoldering after a vegetation fire over night. a monster winter storm pounding the eastern part of the united states right now. many government offices and two major airports are closed.

the ripple effect on air travel all over the nation. we are live in oakland where attorneys prepare for the next legal battle regarding jahi mcmath. we will tell you what her parents would like to see done next. good morning. here's a live look at court me dare owe in marin county. and welcome to ktvu channel 2 morning news. i'm tori campbell in for pam cook. >> and good morning i'm dave clark. a lot to talk about. weather and traffic. >> yeah a lot. logan airport 15-inches of snow in boston. i can't make this even warmer it might be colder than this for green bay. the forecasted low fo