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Strong snowstorm pummels US
15/02/2007 11:59 - (SA)
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| Bruce Papky takes a break from arctic winter conditions in Hamilton, Ontario. (Nathan Denette, AP)
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Washington - The most powerful snowstorm of the winter pummelled the eastern United States and parts of Canada on Wednesday, sticking an icy dagger into the heart of Valentine's Day.
"If you need an excuse to stay inside and be a good valentine, this is your day," Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, told AFP.
A massive weather system that started in the US southwest, swept through the Midwest, regained strength off the Virginia coast and was lumbering up the east coast, he said.
The low pressure centre behind the storm that was climbing up the eastern US seaboard hit Cape Cod, Massachusetts late on Wednesday, and was set to reach Canada's maritime provinces late on Thursday.
"Things will get worse today before they get better," said Feltgen.
Blizzard warnings were out in the northeastern US as heavy snows and high winds were expected to cut visibility to near zero, the NWS said, amid warnings that with the wind chill factor temperatures on Thursday could drop below -29°C in New York state and Vermont.
Airports closed
In Washington, the US capital awoke on Wednesday to an icy mix of snow and sleet that closed airports and slowed the federal government.
As snow covered the layer of ice on Washington streets, roads became treacherous and bus routes were cancelled, stalling commuters.
Three weather-related deaths were reported by the NWS on Tuesday: a snow-plough operator in Missouri was killed and two people died in Nebraska.
Meanwhile, Canada's worst snowstorm of the season blanketed southern Ontario on Wednesday, forcing several flight cancellations and school closures, and tormenting drivers as it swept eastward.
In Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, dozens of flights, mostly to large US cities, were cancelled, according to airport authorities.
"It's the first big storm of the year. It's not commonplace, but at the same time, it's not the end of the world," Denis Heroux, an Environment Canada meteorologist at Montreal airport, told AFP.
- AFP
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