Motorists travel slowly on a snow-covered Interstate 24 during a winter storm in Paducah, Kentucky, December 26, 2012.
A persistent winter storm that moved into the northeastern United States on Wednesday has forced the delay of hundreds of airline flights, frustrating travelers still trying to return home after the Christmas holiday.
The storm spawned high winds, snow and sleet across several states all the way up to Maine. The system also created hazardous driving conditions.
Up to 30 centimeters of snow fell on parts of the northeast, with the heaviest accumulation across northern New York and into New England.
The northeastern United States remains under a winter storm warning.
While the East Coast's largest cities - Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC - got mostly high winds and cold rain, other areas experienced a messy mix of rain and snow that caused many accidents on the highways.
At least a dozen people have been reported killed in storm-related incidents.
Earlier in the week, nearly three dozen tornadoes were reported in the southern U.S. states of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Tens of thousands of people were left without power by the massive storm system.
Massive Storm Disrupts Travel in the United States
1/5A person pushes a kart while salting the sidewalk at Military Park in downtown Newark, New Jersey, December 26, 2012.
A severe winter storm hit the northeastern United States Wednesday, creating dangerous driving conditions and stranding thousands of travelers at airports.
2/5Snow falls over Military Park in downtown Newark, New Jersey, December 26, 2012.
A severe winter storm hit the northeastern United States Wednesday, creating dangerous driving conditions and stranding thousands of travelers at airports.
3/5Motorists travel slowly on a snow-covered Interstate 24 during a winter storm in Paducah, Kentucky, December 26, 2012.
A severe winter storm hit the northeastern United States Wednesday, creating dangerous driving conditions and stranding thousands of travelers at airports.
4/5A man walks past snow-covered Christmas decorations on apartments in Berea, Ohio, December 26, 2012.
A severe winter storm hit the northeastern United States Wednesday, creating dangerous driving conditions and stranding thousands of travelers at airports.
5/5A man rides his bicycle through the streets as he makes a delivery in Indianapolis, Indiana, December 26, 2012.
A severe winter storm hit the northeastern United States Wednesday, creating dangerous driving conditions and stranding thousands of travelers at airports.
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