Huge snowstorm hits US east coast
An enormous winter storm has pummelled the US east coast, grounding flights, shuttering vaccination sites and taking New York City to a standstill.
By Monday afternoon just as much as 19in (48cm) of snow had previously fallen in parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and 17in (43cm) in New York City.
New York City and New Jersey have both declared circumstances of emergency.
The US National Weather Assistance said the storm will progress to New England, before tapering off on Tuesday.
Wind gusts of up to 50mph (80km/h) are also forecast for a number of days creating a blinding, blowing snow storm.
The storm has wrought havoc on local travel. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued an order restricting non-essential travel from 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Monday, and closing public schools on Tuesday.
New York point out Governor Andrew Cuomo declared circumstances of emergency in New York City in addition to 44 other counties.
"That is a dangerous situation," he said in a good press conference in Monday. "A life-threatening-situation. Expect closures. It's going to get very bad very quickly."
In New Jersey, Governor Philip Murphy suspended the state's bus and rail businesses on Monday. His emergency order allows authorities to shut roads and evacuate homes.
More than 1,600 flights have already been cancelled in major airports found in the storm's course, including Newark Liberty AIRPORT TERMINAL, John F Kennedy Airport, and Philadelphia AIRPORT TERMINAL. At New York's La Guardia Airport, all flights were suspended by Monday morning.
The storm has also halted vaccine distribution in Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, parts of Washington, DC and the New York area.
In New York City vaccinations will be cancelled through to Tuesday, as Mayor de Blasio has said it is "not safe" for older residents to go exterior in the blizzard conditions.
"We're in a local talk about of emergency," Mr de Blasio explained at a news conference. "I'm fearful that tough situation we now have could easily get worse."
Snow hit the west coast the other day, with some parts of California experiencing a lot more than 6ft (2m) of snowfall.
In Washington DC, various have appreciated the snow in front of the capital's iconic landmarks. After a day of snow on Sunday, the wintertime weather advisory from the National Weather Assistance has been expanded until Tuesday at nighttime in the DC place. Freezing rain and sleet showers are expected through the day.
President Joe Biden met advisers to go over "a range of issues, like the approaching winter storm", a White House official said.
