U.S. Northeast pummeled by one of worst winter storms in years

A snowplow removes snow from the walking path of the Brooklyn Bridge during a snow storm, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in New York City, New York, U.S., February 1, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Northeast on Monday awoke under a blanket of snow as a powerful winter storm pummeled a vast swath stretching from Pennsylvania through New England, causing widespread disruption in New York City and other major urban centers in the region.

The powerful nor'easter is forecast to bring 1 to 2 feet (31 cm to 61 cm) of snow across the region through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, and snowfall rates could reach 2 to 4 inches (5 cm to 10 cm) per hour during the storm's peak.