Schools Closed, Power Lines Down as Storms Rage Across Plains, East

Snow, freezing rain and ice stretched from the Plains across much of the East as two low-pressure systems collided Friday. Thunderstorms dumped hail on parts of the Southeast.

Strong winds also buffeted the Northeast and Midwest, downing power lines in Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Schools were closed across the Great Lakes region and in parts of the Midwest and East Coast as heavy snow and ice made roads treacherous, officials said.

The stormy weather caused numerous traffic accidents in the Midwest, the Plains and along the East Coast.

In Oklahoma City, three people died and 20 were injured in a 26-vehicle pileup on an icy highway overpass late Thursday.

By Friday afternoon, snow had fallen on parts of Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Four inches was reported at Detroit and up to eight inches was recorded in southern New York state and in neighboring Pennsylvania. Heavy snow and icy rain also fell on New York City throughout the day.

In the South, thunderstorms produced hail near Lizella, in eastern Tennessee, and in the Atlanta area.

Temperatures fell below zero over North Dakota, northern New York state, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.