Blizzards add to snow chaos in north-eastern US
The BBC's Matt Frei takes to the streets of of a snow hit Washington DC
Blizzards have hit cities in the north-eastern US, cutting power, disrupting travel, and closing schools, businesses and government offices.
In Washington DC and neighbouring Montgomery County conditions were considered so hazardous that snow-plough operations were suspended.
The National Guard announced it had called on 200 of its members to help clear streets in the capital.
Baltimore banned all but emergency vehicles from driving on city streets.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said heavy snow and winds gusting at up to 60mph from Virginia to New York could make attempts to travel life-threatening.
WASHINGTON SNOWSTORMS
More than 1ft of snow has fallen only 14 times since 1870
Heaviest on record is 28in in January 1922
Worst snowfall is believed to have hit in 1772, before records began, with as much as 3ft
US blizzards: Your pictures
Frei's diary: White noiseless
The blizzards have come as the region is still dealing with days of heavy snow.
Washington DC's winter snowfall total up to Wednesday morning of 54.9in (139cm) recorded at Reagan National Airport, had made the season the snowiest on record since 1899, the NWS said.
The Federal Aviation Authority said Dulles Airport near Washington DC would shut down for 24 hours due to the adverse conditions.
Schools closed in New York for only the third time in six years, and the United Nations said it had closed its headquarters in the city.
The storm arrived from the west, where as much as 17in of snow fell in the state of Iowa.
