Hundreds of flights, including those of British Airways, were cancelled as a paralysing snow storm spread across north-east America with a potential for up to 20in of snow driven by 50mph winds.

Hundreds of flights, including those of British Airways, were cancelled as a paralysing snow storm spread across north-east America with a potential for up to 20in of snow driven by 50mph winds.

Storm warnings were posted from Wisconsin to New England, where the National Weather Service also warned of blizzards.

By yesterday afternoon, snow was falling across a region stretching from Wisconsin and Illinois to Virginia and New England. Temperatures in Maine fell to -38C at Masardis and dropped to a record -34C at Bangor.

Up to a foot of snow fell in Wisconsin and Michigan. Snowfalls of more than a foot were forecast for several regions, including New York City.

About 400 flights were cancelled yesterday at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and dozens more were halted at the city's Midway Airport. More than 200 people stayed the night at the two airports because of flights cancelled the night before. (AP)