**The second big snowstorm in less than a week has paralysed cities in the north-eastern US, with government offices due to stay shut for a third day.**The US National Weather Service forecast up to 14in (36cm) of snow in the region, along with strong winds.
Washington streets were deserted, while in New York the UN said its headquarters would be closed.
The storm arrived from the west, where as much as 17in (43cm) of snow fell in the state of Iowa.
As the storm closed in on the north-eastern US late on Tuesday, people raced to clear existing snow and stockpile food.
Philadelphia was expecting up to 19in (48cm) of snow and Baltimore as much as 20in (51cm), according to the National Weather Service.
WASHINGTON SNOWSTORMS
- More than 1ft of snow has fallen only 14 times since 1870
- Heaviest on record is 28in in January 1922
- Worst snowfall is believed to have hit in 1772, before records began, with as much as 3ft
In Washington, federal agencies are shut and the House of Representatives has called off all votes for this week.
The Senate is due to resume work on Thursday.
The government closure is estimated to be costing $100m (£64m) a day in lost productivity and other costs.
Many of the region’s schools are closed, with some cancelling classes for the rest of the week.
Transport has been widely disrupted, with airports in Washington shutting early on Tuesday.
Many airlines have also cancelled flights for Wednesday.
Washington’s bus system has ground to a halt and its subway was partly suspended.
Thousands of houses have remained without power in the Washington area.
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