Midwest buckles under storm, calls it a snow day

CHICAGO (AP) — A massive storm billed as the worst in decades barreled toward the northeast today, leaving vast swaths from Chicago to New York paralyzed by snow and ice, leaving hundreds of motorists stranded all night and shuttering airports and schools.

Chicago received up to 17 inches of snow with more still possible, and Missouri as much as 1 1/2 feet. More than a foot dropped on northern Indiana and southeast Kansas, while Oklahoma saw as much as a foot.

In the Northeast, spots in northern New York had already gotten more than a foot of snow. New York City was expected to get up to three-quarters of an inch of ice by midday before the mix of sleet and freezing rain warms up to rain.

Forecasters warn that ice accumulations could knock down some tree limbs and power lines. Ice also could affect transit service, even as plow drivers struggled to keep up with the snow on many roads.