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                 Northeast US Braces for Second Major Snowstorm

   by Reuters

   A huge storm headed on Monday for the northeastern United States, the
   region's second wintry blast in less than a week, after dumping more
   than a foot (30 cm) of snow in the Chicago area.

   Forecasts ranged from 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm) of snow in New York
   City, where millions of commuters faced freezing rain during the
   morning rush hour, to a foot (30 cm) for Boston.

   ''Winter will be sticking around for at least six more weeks, according
   to Monday's forecast provided by groundhog Punxsutawney Phil who
   emerged from his burrow in Pennsylvania and saw his shadow.

   According to legend, seeing his shadow means six more weeks of winter,
   while not seeing his shadow means cold weather is on its way out.

   Official forecasters said snow was expected to fall on Monday at a rate
   of 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) per hour in southern New England at its
   peak, making for extremely hazardous driving conditions.

   Significant accumulations from Albany, New York, to Maine will be
   exacerbated by winds of up to 40 miles per hour (65 kph), the National
   Weather Service said.

   Bitter cold weather was predicted to follow the snow on its eastward
   path across the country.

   Last week, Boston was buried under 2 feet (60 cm) of snow on Tuesday in
   a blizzard that pummeled New England. New York City had prepared for a
   major storm but was spared the brunt.

   Monday's snow forced the closing of schools from the Midwest to New
   England.

   Chicago Public Schools, the country's third-largest public school
   system, along with districts in Detroit, Boston and Providence, Rhode
   Island, canceled classes as the National Weather Service issued storm
   warnings and watches from western Iowa into upper New England.

   The storm figured in cancelations of about 2,000 flights and 2,100
   delays, largely in Chicago, according to the Flight Stats website.

   Nearly 20,000 customers in Illinois lost power, and hazardous road
   conditions were reported in the Midwest.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-northeast-us-braces-for-second-ma
   jor-snowstorm-in-a-week/2624562.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-northeast-us-braces-for-second-major-snowstorm-in-a-week/2624562.html