Records broken as winter comes early to US

A snowstorm with a ferocity more familiar in February than October hit the American north-east over the weekend, knocking out power to 2.7 million, affecting air and road travel and dumping more than two feet of snow in some areas. Officials warned that it could be days before many see electricity restored.

The combination of heavy, wet snow, leaf-laden trees and freezing, gusting winds brought down branches and power lines. At least three deaths were blamed on the weather, and states of emergency were declared in four states.

Along the coast and in such cities as Boston, relatively warm water temperatures helped keep snowfall totals much lower. Washington received a trace of snow, tying a 1925 record for the date. New York City's Central Park set a record for both the date and the month of October with 1.3in (3.3cm) of snow. ap