A powerful winter storm swept through the U.S. mid-Atlantic, bringing up to a foot of snow, forcing school and office closures, and causing widespread travel disruptions, power outages, and dangerously cold temperatures expected to linger throughout the week.

The first major winter storm of the year struck the U.S. mid-Atlantic states on Monday, blanketing Washington, D.C., and surrounding areas with up to a foot of snow and forcing federal offices and schools to close. Maryland and Virginia recorded up to 12 inches of snowfall, while Kansas City experienced 11 inches, its heaviest in over 30 years.

The storm prompted states of emergency in Kansas, Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. Arctic air followed, bringing freezing temperatures and icy conditions across the region, with Kansas seeing wind chills as low as -25°F (-32°C). The cold snap is expected to persist through the week.

The storm caused severe travel disruptions, with over 330,000 power outages, nearly 1,900 cancelled flights, and multiple car accidents across affected states. Virginia and Maryland reported hundreds of crashes, and a fatal accident in Virginia was linked to both icy roads and alcohol.

Despite the chaos, Washington residents found time for a massive snowball fight in Meridian Hill Park. Congress, however, convened as scheduled to certify Donald Trump’s election as president.

Power crews, road services, and airport staff worked tirelessly to restore services, with delays continuing across major transport hubs in the storm's aftermath.

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