Heavy snow stifles travel in Midwest, East

Heavy snow in numerous states early Monday caused slick driving conditions and forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, U.S. weather officials said.

Residents of a dozen states, from Missouri to New Jersey and Tennessee to North Carolina, were under winter storm warnings, CNN reported.

About 5 inches of snow had fallen in parts of Ohio and 7 inches in Pittsburgh, Accuweather.com reported.

Farther east, snow and ice delayed early morning flights at Philadelphia International Airport. Drivers in many places, including Washington, were warned about slippery roads.

More than 350 flights throughout the vast region were canceled Monday, FlightWare said, following 500 canceled flights on Sunday.

Parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana weren't expecting snow but were under freeze warnings.

In Florida, strong winds toppled trees that damaged an animal preserve in Dade City, north of Tampa, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

No animals were reported to have escaped, officials said.