U.S. hit by another winter storm, Washington buried under 30 cm snow

U.S. has been hit again with another fast moving winter storm in the northeastern part which will be dumped in a foot (30 cm) of snow. Millions of commuters along the densely populated

coasts were facing troubles reaching their destinations. The storm has compelled schools and many federal government offices in Washington to remain closed due to the (2.5 cm) of snow which has fallen by early afternoon.

FlightAware.com a tracking system has noted that about 2,900 flights in the United States had been canceled on Tuesday, 22.01.14. The worst affected airports were Philadelphia International and New York’s LaGuardia. According to weather forecasts by AccuWeather temperatures will be dropping below freezing as far south as northern Florida. The polar front grips the eastern United States, the west. The entire state of Minnesota was below 0 F (-18 C) on Tuesday morning.

Winter storm warnings and advisories were in place from the central Appalachian Mountains north to southern New England; the National Weather Service said that a major impact is expected during the rush hours in Baltimore and Washington. Also the areas in the Middle Atlanta states busy I-95 highway corridor from Washington to Boston will face the disruption.

Temperatures in the eastern half of the United States is likely to drop from 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit below average (6 to 14 degrees Celsius below average) due to the polar front. As the cold front picks up moisture from the Atlantic Ocean the Southern New England could get up to a foot (30 cm) of snow.

Most offices were closed in Washington as the federal workers were asked to stay at home as according to weather forecast this was the heaviest snowfall in the last three years. Schools were forced to shut down; the white house had called off a press briefing owing to the weather. However the Supreme Court remained opened disregarding the weather conditions.

More than 200 plows were deployed in Washington and workers worked relentlessly by clearing the snow and scattering salt outside the Metro station entrance. But with the snow coming down fast it there is very little to do in the challenging weather conditions.

Non-essential state workers were sent home in Connecticut. The Maryland Transit Administration cut back rail and bus services. The State governments in Delaware and Maryland shut down.

The inauguration party for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Ellis Island in New York Harbor was canceled because of the looming storm. Residents were warned against travelling unless they have to. Schools in Connecticut were also closed and so were the collages.