Millions prepare for potentially 'paralyzing' east coast winter storm

Washington DC is at the center of the blizzard's aim, where forecasters have warned residents to brace for more than 30in snow and wind gusts up to 50mph

Millions of people across a dozen states are bracing for a weekend of travel disruption, possible power outages and white-out conditions as a potentially "paralyzing winter storm" begins to bear down on the eastern US on Friday.

Washington DC is at the center of the blizzard's aim. Forecasters have warned residents of the nation's capital to brace for more than 30in of snow and wind gusts up to 50mph in some places. If predictions are accurate, snow totals in the District could shatter records set in 1922.