Huge snowstorm bears down on US east coast and midwest

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/14/snow-storm-east-coast-flight-delays

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A large snowstorm, spanning more than a 1,000 miles, bore down on the north-east and midwest of the US on Saturday morning. It is expected to last through Sunday.

Major airports warned that there could be significant flight delays and cancellations. Airports in Chicago, Cleveland, Washington and Newark cancelled dozens of flights ahead of the storm, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

At noon on Saturday, more than 335 arriving and departing flights had been cancelled at Newark Liberty International Airport. At Chicago O'Hare, 171 had been cancelled, according to Flightstats.com.

The National Weather Service issued a prediction of a possible 6-12in of snow from Saturday to Sunday in New England, and areas north and west of New York City were bracing for a possible 8in or more. Sleet and freezing rain were expected in both regions. States as far west as Missouri are also expected to see the effects of the fast-moving snow storm, and heavy rains are anticipated in the south-east.

AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski told Reuters 110 million people would be affected.

"Snow will fall on and impact every major city and rural area from St Louis to Boston, including Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and New York City," Sosnowski said.

Mountainous areas and the east coast are expected to be the hardest hit, with a possible foot of snow due to hit the area. The bulk of the storm is expected to hit on Saturday, moving into Canada and offshore by Sunday evening.

The storm hit on Saturday morning, creating poor road conditions and flight delays in the midwest and east coast. Regional transportation departments readied for the storm by setting up plows and treating highways and roads with salt. The Connecticut and New York commuter train operator Metro-North warned that services might be reduced or stopped.

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