US snowstorm: Huge blizzard on the way. Millions prepare

Snow near record levels are ready to welcome Washington and the Mid - Atlantic region as a huge blizzard is bearing down on the US east coast.

The blizzard characterized as a potentially "paralysing storm" is ready to strike and affect more than 50 million people that are already warned about it within the hours.

Potentially the blizzard may cause power outages and will bring road and air travel to a halt, while it led to empty shelves at supermarkets.

Summarizing:
states of emergency declared in Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia
blizzard watches in effect from Arkansas through Tennessee and Kentucky and as far north as New York
heaviest snowfall predicted for area just west of Washington DC
the capital's transport system - the second busiest in the US - will close all weekend
Garth Brooks has postponed two sold-out concerts in Baltimore
schools across the region are closed on Friday
airlines have issued waivers for travel, meaning passengers can rebook

High winds could compound problems, with 30mph (50km/h) winds forecast for Manhattan on Saturday, and even stronger gusts in Washington and Baltimore.