Massive snowstorm blankets eastern US

A massive snowstorm ravaged the eastern United States early yesterday, snapping power lines, closing schools and snarling the morning commute amid freezing temperatures from Maryland to Maine.

More than 30 cm of snow was possible in some northern states, the National Weather Service said as the winter storm began to unleash its furor on the upper portion of the country late Sunday.

New York City residents stocked up on groceries while city officials deployed extra snowplows and salt trucks to fend off the snow piles, which were expected to hit a height of up to 36 cm by daybreak.