US snow: eastern blizzards cause chaos

Christmas came to an icy end in the US, as the first widespread blizzard of the season crippled transport networks with up to 20 inches of snow in some areas. The US National Weather Service issued severe weather warnings from Maine to New Jersey, as winter storms blanketed almost the entire East Coast. Winds of up to 35 miles an hour pummelled eastern states forcing six, including Massachusetts and Maine, to declare a state of emergency – imposing driving bans and urging residents to stay off the roads. Among the heaviest hit were New Jersey, New York City and western Long Island – where up to 25 inches of snow had been forecast. New York airports closed last night, including Newark and JFK International, the latter of which will remain closed until 4pm EST today. Families slept overnight at JFK hoping to catch the first flights out today. At least 2,000 flights in the region had been cancelled and the Amtrak passenger rail service between New York and Boston was suspended.

New Year performers strandedAlmost a thousand American musicians and cheerleaders due to take part in Westminster’s 25th New Year’s Day parade in London have had their flights grounded in the US.Organisers of the London Parade have called on airlines to help get the student bands to the UK in time for the event. Bob Bone, executive director of the New Year’s Day Parade, said: “We are totally in the airlines’ hands – and some are proving to be less than helpful.””These performers have been saving for at least two years to make the trip and we are imploring the airlines to realise that they are not here for a holiday – but to live their dreams and entertain the world.”

Delta Air Lines cancelled around a sixth of its flight schedule, while American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Continental Airlines cancelled roughly 265 flights each and United Airlines 110. American Airline hopes to be up and running again by mid-morning on Monday. The snowstorms blew north engulfing major coastal cities, after states in the South were hit with a rare white Christmas on Saturday.

The US press is branding it a “monster” blizzard, with forecasters predicting the biggest storm since last February.