Winter Storm Batters Devastated US Northeast

A winter-like storm is making life miserable Thursday for residents in parts of the northeastern United States, who still have not recovered from superstorm Sandy.

While not as strong as Sandy, this storm, called a "nor'easter," brought heavy ice-cold rain and strong winds up to 97 kilometers an hour to the coast and thick wet snow farther inland.

As much as 17 centimeters of snow had been expected across New York City and New Jersey, and further north into Connecticut.

Utility companies in New York state and New Jersey say as many as 650,000 customers lost power, including many who just had their power restored after being in the dark since Sandy struck the area last week.

The new storm also disrupted commuter train service near New York City and grounded flights.

With two major storms battering his state in the last two weeks, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joked Wednesday that he was now waiting for "locusts and pestilence," a reference to two Biblical plagues.

But forecasters are predicting the end of the week will be sunny and much warmer with temperatures in New York reaching 16 degrees Celsius by Sunday.

Superstorm Sandy killed more than 100 people in the United States and caused up to $50 billion in damages.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.