Wide range of wintry conditions hits US; more on way

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Tourists flocked to the monuments in the nation’s capital Sunday to enjoy 50-degree temperatures before yet another winter storm was expected to dump up to a foot of snow on parts of the East Coast.

In the latest blast of a harsh winter, forecasters said a layer of ice and 8 to 12 inches of snow was possible by the end of today in Washington and the Mid-Atlantic region, while 6 to 8 inches of snow was predicted across parts of southern Pennsylvania. Nearly a foot of snow was expected in parts of New Jersey.

More snow and ice, perhaps as much as 2 inches falling every hour, were on the way ahead of this morning’s commute. By late Sunday afternoon, rain had moved into the Washington area, temperatures dropped and the city had declared a snow emergency beginning early today.

On Sunday night, the federal government announced that its Washington-area offices will be closed today. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which sets leave policies for 300,000 federal workers in the region, says nonemergency personnel are granted excused absences for the day.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court was expected to be open and had arguments scheduled for today.

A round of wintry precipitation moved across much of the nation Sunday, bringing a mix of freezing rain and heavy snow to central and eastern states. Authorities warned of possible power outages and flight disruptions from weather that could affect millions.