**A fierce winter snowstorm has hit the eastern United States, causing travel chaos and forcing airline cancellations in Washington and Baltimore.**More than one foot (30cm) of snow fell in some areas with up to 22in (56cm) expected to arrive by Saturday night.
A blizzard warning has been issued by the US National Weather Service with wind gusts of up to 40mph (64km/h) forecast.
Some areas declared a snow emergency, warning people to stay at home.
Snow ploughs cleared the runway at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington as President Barack Obama returned from climate talks in Copenhagen.
The White House said the president travelled in a motorcade back home, rather than by helicopter, because of the weather.
In Virginia several hundred motorists became stranded in their vehicles and had to be rescued by the National Guard.
About 100 people were taken to shelters said Bob Spieldenner, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
The US National Weather Service said the storm was expected to reach as far north as Massachusetts on Sunday.
Heavy snow is expected to fall from North Carolina to New York, with major cities including Baltimore and Philadelphia bracing themselves for one foot (30cm) or more of snow.
Washington DC is preparing to be hit by what could be its worst winter storm since 2003.
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