Storm over half of US claims 12 lives

A FEARSOME storm has spread a smothering shroud of white over nearly half of the US, snarling transportation, burying parts of the mid-west under 2ft of snow and causing at least 12 deaths.

Tens of millions of people stayed home. The hardy few who ventured out faced howling winds that turned snowflakes into face-stinging needles. Chicago’s 20in of snow was the city’s third-largest amount on record.

The storm that resulted from two clashing air masses was rare for its size and ferocious strength.