South And Mid-Atlantic Blanketed With Ice, Snow

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A winter storm that has blanketed the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states with snow is moving rapidly eastward.

Nearly a foot of snow has fallen in parts of western North Carolina, and nearly 10 inches has fallen in some areas north of Memphis, Tenn. The National Weather Service reports about a half-foot of snow is on the ground in Nashville.

To the northeast, the Washington-Baltimore area has been receiving anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of snow. A winter storm warning is still in effect for parts of Maryland and Virginia and the District of Columbia.

About a foot of snow was reported in the Richmond area in Virginia.

Transportation officials are urging drivers to stay off the roads.

The weather also cut short a farewell celebration at the National Zoo in Washington for young panda Tai Shan, who will be flown to China on Thursday to become part of a breeding program.

The storm has left roads icy and snowpacked across the South, and thousands are without power.