The US north-east is bracing for a severe storm that is expected to cause havoc with transport schedules
The north-eastern US is preparing for a fierce evening storm that is expected to dump up to 14in (35cm) of snow.
Nearly 1,900 flights have been grounded nationwide as heavy snow falls from Illinois to Michigan in the US Midwest.
Parts of New York and New England are expected to see blizzard conditions, with fast falling snow and wind gusts of up to 45mph (72 km/h).
In Canada, temperatures of -26C (-14F) were recorded in Montreal and Winnipeg, not including the wind chill factor.
On Thursday, central Quebec recorded an actual temperature of -46C (-51F), Environment Canada meteorologist Bernard Duguay told the BBC.
Several inches of snow have already fallen in the US north-east, but the strongest part of the storm is expected on Thursday evening into Friday morning.
‘Serious situation’
“We’re going to see a lot of snow and a lot of wind,” said Jason Tuell, of the US National Weather Service. “We’re concerned about whiteout conditions possibly tonight with the blowing and drifting snow.”
More than a foot of snow is expected in the Boston area by Friday morning, according to weather officials.
Similar accumulations were also expected in parts of the states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, where many residents were recently without electricity because of an ice storm.
Weather officials have issued a blizzard warning for the Long Island region of New York, where up to 10in of snow is expected.
Some schools have already announced closures for Friday and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned commuters to New York City to leave their vehicles at home on Thursday.
“We are looking at a serious storm situation,” Mr Cuomo said.
In Hartford, Connecticut, householder Hal Guy was preparing for the snow by shopping for three snow shovels.
“We broke a couple in the last storm,” he told the Associated Press news agency.
“We have four kids, so, three shovels, and we still have a little one back home.”
The storm is expected to be an early test for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was sworn-in on Wednesday.
To the south, smaller but still significant amounts of snow are expected in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
Source: BBC News
