Brendan O’Brien, Susan Heavey

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A snowstorm dumped over a foot in eastern United States. This was two days after a blizzard closed down a highway in Virginia.

The National Weather Service stated that winter storm warnings are in effect for areas stretching from Washington to Maine. Local snowfall rates will exceed one inch (3 cm) per hour.

Some parts of Kentucky and Virginia were left without snow for up to 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). According to the weather service, Coastal New England was hardest hit as several towns in Connecticut or Massachusetts received more than a foot (30cm of snow) on Thursday and Friday.

According to Alan Dunham, a Boston weather meteorologist and service meteorologist, “It will taper off, ending during the afternoon.” It’s currently a strong, stable low-pressure system that is moving towards the east-northeast. The snow should end by the evening commute.

Flightaware.com reports that more than 400 flights had been cancelled or delayed at New York, Boston, and Washington airports as of Friday morning. Phil Murphy, New Jersey’s Governor declared a state emergency for his state and advised residents not to travel on roads.

Washington’s federal government offices were closed. Many eastern school districts cancelled classes because of snow and bitter cold.

The storm caused temperatures to drop below zero F (minus 17 Celsius) in the Upper Midwest overnight. Early Friday saw wind chills drop to 25 below zero (minus32 C) in Wisconsin and Minnesota as well as Iowa, Iowa, and the Dakotas.

It was the second major storm to hit the Eastern United States this week. A foot of snow blanketed the area, rendering Interstate 95, northern Virginia, impassable for nearly 50 miles (80 km).

I-95, which is one of the most busy thoroughfares along the East Coast was closed in both directions for hours around Fredericksburg, Virginia. It’s located about 55-miles (89 km) South of Washington. The closure trapped thousands of tourists, some for as much as 24 hours.