Second ice storm in 3 days pummels NE U.S.

Ice storms pummel much of the northern and northeastern United States

Two winter storms in three days hit the U.S. northeast causing havoc across the region.  In the West, parts of Washington state were hit with heavy snow storms. As much as 10 inches of snow fell, causing  power outages  and traffic congestion.

Not so fast! Bags being returned from canceled flights jam the baggage claim area at a crowded Sea-Tac Airport [Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington, United States.] Numerous flights were canceled after heavy snow moved through the area. Leaving the airport is difficult as surface transportation is also being disrupted because of snow (December 21, 2008). Photo: Karen Ducey/Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Image may be subject to copyright.

Heavy snows and strong winds forced the closure of Snoqualmie Pass, east of Seattle on highway I-90. Conditions there were “just a complete whiteout blizzard” on the pass, Washington State Patrol trooper Dan McDonald told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper. “I’ve never seen anything like this. The side winds are probably easy 70 mph. They’re taking us off the road.”

Up to 30 cm of snow is expected in areas west of Boston, leading to long delays and cancellations at regional airports throughout New England. In New Hampshire up to 20,000 customers were without power, while in Massachusetts power outages affected about 6,000 households and businesses.

Related News Links:

• Four more inches of snow expected
• Winter storms hit western, eastern U.S.

Ice Planet China

Big Freeze Hits Northern China

Ice storms, heavy snow and freezing conditions have covered most of northern China, the meteorological department said on Sunday. In Tianjin, which borders Beijing and is the second largest city in northern coastal China, all flights were canceled due to heavy snow; road and rail tracks became impassible.

People make their way amid snowfall on a street in Tianjin municipality, China, December 21, 2008. REUTERS/Vincent Du. Image may be subject to copyright.

Beijing  temperature fell to minus 12 degree centigrade, while further north they fell to minus 26 degrees Celsius. The weather forecast for most of central, eastern and southern China in the next two days is much of the same.

Cold weather s across central and southern China earlier this year killed at least 129 people.

Related News Links:

• Snow, freezing weather sweep northern China
• Northern China hit by cold snap