A freak October storm knocked out power to more than 3.1 million homes and businesses across north-east America, with close to 2ft of snow falling in some areas.

A SNOWSTORM with a ferocity more familiar in February than October hit the US northeast over the weekend, knocking out power to 2.7 million people, snarling air and highway travel and dumping more than 2 feet of snow in a few spots as it slowly moved north out of New England.

The mother of Co Clare teenager Phoebe Prince has spoken publicly for the first time since her daughter's tragic death, saying there is a dead weight that permanently in her chest.

Donal Hickey on manipulating cloud to produce rain.