Winter ice storm blankets northeast

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- A winter storm that dumped rain, snow and ice on portions of the U.S. Northeast Monday night expanded its reach Tuesday, weather forecasters said.

Areas from northeastern Pennsylvania across New York and interior New England braced for several hours of freezing rain on top of several inches of snow, accuweather.com reported.

Freezing rain covered much of the Baltimore area, causing school systems to cancel classes and making roads treacherous for commuters, The Baltimore Sun said.

In Greater Boston and across Massachusetts state police responded to dozens of spin-outs and crashes, and delays were being reported on several commuter rail lines, The Boston Globe reported.

Residents of western Massachusetts were warned the rain and snow followed by sub-zero temperatures could force roofs to collapse, The (Springfield, Mass.) Republican said.

The storm brought freezing rain and cold temperatures to the Washington area, prompting more school closings and delayed starts.

The federal government announced just before 5 a.m. it would open two hours late because many of the region's smaller roads and sidewalks were encased in ice, The Washington Post reported.

Motorists reported spending 20 minutes melting or chipping the ice off their vehicles while commuters walked slowly to avoid slipping.

Meteorologists said the freezing rain and cold temperatures would move out of the area and above-freezing temperatures were expected by midday.

In Florida, strong thunderstorms hit the Sunshine state Monday causing wind damage along the west coast and in the Keys, accuweather.com reported.

Wind gusts estimated at 60 mph blew cars off a road in Bradenton, Fla., while numerous power lines were downed in the Keys.