A deadly snowstorm left at least 12 people dead, and more than 1.5 million people without power, as it swept into the US Mid-Atlantic today, blanketing cities from Washington to New York with several inches of snow.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain from the region's first wintry storm of the season played havoc with travel along the US east coast, snarling commuters in hundreds of traffic accidents and flight delays, and forcing schools and businesses to close.
At least a dozen people died in weather-related traffic accidents. Police reported four deaths each in Missouri and North Carolina, three in Kentucky and one in Tennessee.
Cities including Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia declared snow emergencies as meteorologists forecast accumulations of up to 10 inches as far north as New York. Some areas were expected to see their heaviest snowfall since January 2000.
Flight delays were reported from Washington's Reagan National Airport to LaGuardia Airport in New York, and included delays of up to eight hours for air travelers at Newark International.