Winter not yet done, more snow for parts of US
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Winter-weary motorists faced another treacherous commute Monday in parts of the Mid-Atlantic as snow and frigid weather blew in just days before the start of spring.
At least a few inches of snow were reported in the Washington area and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey by early Monday.
In Washington, crews worked overnight to clear snow, but transportation officials warned that roads were still dangerous. Heavy snow closed Reagan National Airport's runways. Dulles International Airport and BWI were seeing many cancelations, but were open.
Forecasters urged drivers not to let their guards down and federal offices in the Washington area were closed for the day Monday.
In New Jersey, the heaviest snow was reported in the southern part of the state, where many schools were closed or delayed opening.
Patience was wearing thin for many.
"Never thought of March as being Spring. But snow, yeah, I'm over snow," said Jackie Denham, who was at a grocery store in Alexandria, Va., on Sunday.
Rain and thunderstorms were expected in the Southeast, some of which could be strong.
Winter's return follows several days of spring-like temperatures. With spring officially starting Thursday, people weary of shoveling snow are hoping that the latest storm will be winter's final encore.
Ricardo Contreras, an upholsterer from Harrisburg, Pa., said he was tired of the winter and had no plans to shovel whatever might fall overnight.
"I'll just let it melt by itself," Contreras said.
Engineer Bill Bingham, heading into the West Shore Plaza in Lemoyne, Pa., for Sunday breakfast, said he was most looking forward to playing some golf for the first time in many months.
"I really like the winter, but I'm done with the snow now," Bingham said. "I'm ready for spring."
Richard Windsor of Jackson, N.J., said he was not that impressed by the new storm system. Several previous storms this season dropped 10 or more inches of snow in the state.
"With the winter we've had, I'm not worried about an inch or two of snow," Windsor said as he gassed up his sport utility vehicle Sunday morning. "I figure if I made it through the stronger storms, I can handle this."
Temperatures in many areas are expected to be in tune with spring by Thursday. But forecasters cannot say whether winter weather will finally end. Forecasters said snowstorms are typical through March.
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Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Ed Donahue in Washington, D.C.; Grant Schulte in Des Moines, Iowa; Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pa.; Bruce Shipkowski in Trenton, N.J.; and Phillip Lucas in Atlanta.
