Winter storm moves from southern US to north-east
Baku, January 12 (AZERTAC). A winter storm that pummelled southern US states in the last few days has headed toward the north-east, leaving in its wake icy roads, power cuts and school cancellations.
As much as 12in (30cm) of snow blanketed states from Louisiana to North Carolina.
At least 11 people have died in weather-related car crashes since snow and sleet began falling on Sunday.
Heavy snow is expected to begin falling in New York City later on Tuesday.
A combination of freezing rain and sleet forced school closures in the south for a second day, as residents faced icy roads and downed power lines.
On Tuesday, officials warned motorists to continue to stay off the roads because of the storm, which began blanketing southern states with snow on Sunday - trapping motorists on highways in Georgia and Arkansas.
An accumulation of ice is expected to stay on roads throughout many states in the southern US until temperatures warm up later in the week, forecasters said.
Governors in the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee declared emergencies on Monday and warned of continued problems throughout the south on Tuesday.
But as the south waits for temperatures to melt the snow and ice, the north-eastern US is already bracing for its third storm in less than three weeks.
A winter storm warning was issued for Tuesday evening and Wednesday in the region, with the heaviest snow expected overnight.
New York City and its suburbs could receive eight to 14in (20-35cm) of snow, with winds up to 35mph (56km/h), forecasters said.
Two days after the storm began, thousands of people remain without power in the south.
Officials in Georgia were forced to move the inauguration of Republican Governor Nathan Deal from the steps of the state Capitol to inside the state`s House chambers on Monday, after the storm system left the city of Atlanta covered by about 4in (10cm) of snow.
The storm is being blamed for forcing the cancellation of 1,900 flights throughout the south on Tuesday and roughly 2,000 flights on Monday.
The majority of flights were also cancelled at Atlanta`s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world`s busiest airport and the largest hub of Delta Air Lines.
Atlanta, which does not typically receive heavy amounts of snow, has only eight snow ploughs and has been struggling to keep up with snow removal.
Since the storm struck on Sunday, covering bridges and roads, the city has hired 11 trucks to help spread salt and gravel around the region.
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