Meteorologists have apologised after what was predicted to be one of the biggest blizzards in New York City history left only a moderate amount of snow in the Big Apple.

New York City was placed into lock down after a large snow storm was expected to dump up to one metre of snow, with streets, schools and subways closed.

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New York mayor Bill de Blasio warned it would “most likely be one of the largest blizzards” in the city’s history, and states of emergency were declared in New York and New Jersey.

National Weather Service meteorologist Gary Szatkowski offered his “deepest apologies” on Twitter after the storm fell short of predictions, saying it was “a big forecast miss”.

You made a lot of tough decisions expecting us to get it right, and we didn’t. Once again, I’m sorry.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

At least Mother Nature is throwing me a bone. Its snowing again in Hainesport, NJ.

— Gary Szatkowski (@GarySzatkowski) January 27, 2015

Travel bans were lifted by Wednesday after only 10cm of snow fell in some areas, and New Yorkers quickly took to social media to parody the storm.

Supermarkets were scenes of chaos on Tuesday as people stocked up on food and supplies ahead of the storm, which saw the hashtag “snowmaggedon” trending on Twitter.

Others cities didn’t escape the storm as lightly as New York, with Boston completely blanketed by around 80cm of snowfall.

Least blizzardy blizzard ever, am I right?! #blizzardof2015 #technicallyjustalightdusting — Dave Hill (@mrdavehill) January 27, 2015

We survived!!! #Snowmageddon2015 pic.twitter.com/XTu4AN1980 — Troy Osinoff (@yo) January 27, 2015

It’s a little rainy here in LA. We’re holding up okay. Thanks for your prayers. #blizzardof2015 — marc maron (@marcmaron) January 27, 2015

Now I know why they named this storm Juno. it’s because everyone’s asking, “Hey, Ju-know where the snow is?” #blizzardof2015 @fox29philly — Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) January 27, 2015

2 feet of snow in New York this morning #Snowmageddon2015 #blizzardof2015 #juno2015 pic.twitter.com/DS5jd0rJKL

— New York, New York (@NYC) January 27, 2015

Photos from East #Boston (courtesy of Mike Moskovich) #blizzardof2015 pic.twitter.com/uNuWAeN3UF — NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) January 27, 2015