US storm drops almost two feet of snow

A strong winter storm pounding north-east America with stiff winds and punishing cold has dumped nearly two feet of snow in parts of Massachusetts today.

The National Weather Service said around 21 inches of snow fell in Boxford, just north of Boston, and parts of New York state had 18 inches.

The brutal weather has extended the Christmas break for some students while posing the first test for New York’s new mayor, and perhaps the last challenge for Boston’s outgoing one.

US airlines cancelled more than 2,300 flights nationwide, schools in New England and New York closed well ahead of the snowfall and cities mobilised ploughs and salt spreaders. Some major highways were shut down overnight and efforts were under way to get homeless people into the warmth and safety of shelters.

The heavy weather began rolling in just a day after New York mayor Bill de Blasio was sworn in to lead the nation’s largest city and a few days before Boston mayor Thomas Menino ends 20 years in office.

Mr Menino announced a parking ban and said schools would be closed today in Boston, where up to 14 inches of snow was expected. Boston’s airport said it would not handle any flights after 8.30pm yesterday.

“What a New Year’s gift, to receive one last snowstorm as mayor,” said Mr Menino, whose successor takes office on Monday.

Mr De Blasio, who as public advocate in 2010 criticised his predecessor Michael Bloomberg for his handling of a post-Christmas storm, said hundreds of ploughs and salt spreaders would be on the streets as soon as the snow started falling.

“We have to get it right, no question about it,” he said. “We are focused like a laser on protecting this city and getting everyone ready. We have all hands on deck.”

Snow began falling in parts of New England and New York state, but the brunt of the storm was not expected until today. Forecasters said temperatures would plummet to well below freezing.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Cape Cod, coastal areas north and south of Boston and part of Maine as well as New York’s Long Island, where up to 10 inches of snow could fall and winds could gust to 45mph.

Interior southern New England and New York state could get up to 1ft of snow. New York City was expecting eight inches, while Philadelphia could see up to seven inches.

As the storm pushed eastwards on New Year’s Day and yesterday, it dropped as much as 18 inches on suburban Chicago and up to 10 inches on Michigan, prompting the cancellation of hundreds of flights in and out of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Below-zero cold is expected across the region over the next few days.