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| US east coast hit with heavy snow and bitter cold | US east coast hit with heavy snow and bitter cold |
| (1 day later) | |
| The US east coast has been hit by the second major winter storm of the year, with up to 12in (30cm) of snow, strong winds and bitter cold forecast. | The US east coast has been hit by the second major winter storm of the year, with up to 12in (30cm) of snow, strong winds and bitter cold forecast. |
| Even before the first flakes had fallen, US government offices in Washington DC and schools in several states were closed pre-emptively. | Even before the first flakes had fallen, US government offices in Washington DC and schools in several states were closed pre-emptively. |
| As snow fell along major motorways along the US east coast authorities warned of hazardous road conditions. | As snow fell along major motorways along the US east coast authorities warned of hazardous road conditions. |
| And more than 3,000 flights have already been cancelled in the US. | And more than 3,000 flights have already been cancelled in the US. |
| Another 800 flights were pre-emptively cancelled for Wednesday and Amtrak began to cut back train services on Tuesday afternoon along its popular north-eastern route. | Another 800 flights were pre-emptively cancelled for Wednesday and Amtrak began to cut back train services on Tuesday afternoon along its popular north-eastern route. |
| 'Dangerously cold' | 'Dangerously cold' |
| The storm comes two weeks after a weather pattern known as the polar vortex brought heavy snow and record low temperatures to the eastern half of the US. | The storm comes two weeks after a weather pattern known as the polar vortex brought heavy snow and record low temperatures to the eastern half of the US. |
| Perilous conditions stretched for 1,000 miles (1,600km) from Kentucky to Massachusetts on Tuesday, slowing traffic and sparking winter storm warnings. | Perilous conditions stretched for 1,000 miles (1,600km) from Kentucky to Massachusetts on Tuesday, slowing traffic and sparking winter storm warnings. |
| Washington DC is expected to see its heaviest snow fall in three years. The White House cancelled an afternoon press briefing and a meeting of President Barack Obama's commission on electoral administration. | Washington DC is expected to see its heaviest snow fall in three years. The White House cancelled an afternoon press briefing and a meeting of President Barack Obama's commission on electoral administration. |
| But the US Supreme Court remained open to hear arguments. | But the US Supreme Court remained open to hear arguments. |
| Temperatures across the eastern US are expected to be 10 to 25 degrees colder than average on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the US National Weather Service. | Temperatures across the eastern US are expected to be 10 to 25 degrees colder than average on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the US National Weather Service. |
| "Behind the storm there will be very cold temperatures," Chris Vaccaro, a spokesman for the weather service told the BBC, with temperatures around -18C (0F) in some areas. | "Behind the storm there will be very cold temperatures," Chris Vaccaro, a spokesman for the weather service told the BBC, with temperatures around -18C (0F) in some areas. |
| "It will be dangerously cold when you factor in the wind," he added. Wind chills are expected to make it feel as cold as -26C. | "It will be dangerously cold when you factor in the wind," he added. Wind chills are expected to make it feel as cold as -26C. |
| Gridlock was reported on New York City highways, with commuters reporting drive times of quadruple their normal duration. | Gridlock was reported on New York City highways, with commuters reporting drive times of quadruple their normal duration. |
| "I just want to get to the Bronx," driver Peter Neuwens told the Associated Press news agency. "It's a big place. Why can't I get there?" | "I just want to get to the Bronx," driver Peter Neuwens told the Associated Press news agency. "It's a big place. Why can't I get there?" |
| The weather has also affected New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's second inauguration. Organisers have cancelled the party scheduled for Tuesday night on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. | The weather has also affected New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's second inauguration. Organisers have cancelled the party scheduled for Tuesday night on Ellis Island in New York Harbor. |
| Both chambers of Delaware's General Assembly cancelled sessions on Tuesday as the snowstorm approached and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick postponed his annual State of the State address. | Both chambers of Delaware's General Assembly cancelled sessions on Tuesday as the snowstorm approached and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick postponed his annual State of the State address. |
| Transportation officials in Pennsylvania reduced speeds on motorways and other major roads. A spokeswoman told the Associated Press news agency the state had already spent more than half of its $189m (£115m) winter weather budget. | Transportation officials in Pennsylvania reduced speeds on motorways and other major roads. A spokeswoman told the Associated Press news agency the state had already spent more than half of its $189m (£115m) winter weather budget. |
| The storm has already been blamed for one death on Tuesday after a car in Maryland slid into the path of a lorry. The driver was thrown from the vehicle. | The storm has already been blamed for one death on Tuesday after a car in Maryland slid into the path of a lorry. The driver was thrown from the vehicle. |