Storms savage portions of the U.S.

SEATTLE, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Winter storms already blamed for at least a dozen deaths punished the major regions of the United States Monday.

In the Midwest, storms caused at least three traffic deaths in Wisconsin, and authorities were trying to decide whether to add three more, the Pierce County (Wis.) Herald reported.

A strong Pacific storm bullied itself all the way into Idaho, the National Weather Service said, where snow accumulations were expected to be up to 8 inches in the valleys and 1- to 2 feet in the mountains. The weather made travel "very hazardous or impossible," the NWS said.

Earlier, whiteout conditions were reported in the Seattle suburbs.

In the East, the weather service said the season's first major storm would continue to bring snow to much of Maine and northern New Hampshire into Monday night before gradually moving into the Bay of Fundy.

The greatest possible accumulations were expected in central Maine, with up to 18 inches in a "snow event" Monday night and winds gusting to 30 mph. The NWS said the combination of snow and wind "will make travel very difficult across central Maine" Monday evening.

Elsewhere in the region, roads were expected to be very slick and the NWS said travel should be avoided.

One major city, Boston, escaped the worst of the storm, The Boston Herald reported.