Cyclone, snowstorm hit Russia's Far East

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, Russia, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A powerful cyclone bringing heavy snows to remote far eastern Russia forced the closure of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport, officials said Saturday.

The cyclone was pummeling Sakhalin Island on Russia's Pacific Coast, closing the airport, shutting down a commuter ferry and covering roads on the entire island in a heavy blanket of snow, ITAR-TASS reported.

The Sakhalin Hydrometeorological Center reported wind speeds reaching about 60 mph, with forecasters not promising any letup in the storm until Sunday evening, the Russian news agency said.