Massive winter storm slams US Northeast

WASHINGTON - Another massive winter storm walloped parts of the US East Coast on Monday, shutting schools and the federal government, snarling air traffic and turning roads into slippery slopes.

The late winter blast was the latest in a succession that have made this one of the harshest in years for residents of the eastern seaboard of the United States.

In the capital Washington, expected to get the brunt of a fierce weather mix, the Monday morning commute was unusually calm as windswept, snow-covered streets stayed largely empty.

As a precaution, employees of the federal government were told to stay home and area schools gave their students a snow day.

While the city's Metro was running on schedule, bus service was suspended due to dangerous road conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said a winter storm warning would remain in effect until 6 pm (2300 GMT) and that six to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimetres) of snow were expected.

The weather woes extended beyond the capital area, with the NWS predicting heavy snow from the Ohio Valley into the Mid-Atlantic region through the evening.

Baltimore and Philadelphia were under a winter storm warning, with snow also expected further north in parts of New Jersey.

The icy rain and snow caused headaches for air travelers, with Washington's Dulles International Airport tweeting that runways were open but that many flights were cancelled.

Baltimore's BWI Marshall Airport said "only very limited" airline operations were expected Monday morning.