Washington snowed out by heavy blizzard

United States President Barack Obama's motorcade stands in front of the White House under heavy snowfall in Washington on February 6.

A blizzard, accompanied by heavy snow and powerful winds, pummeled the US mid-Atlantic on Saturday, causing at least two fatalities and paralysing travel in the region.

Local weather forecasters said the storm could bring the heaviest snowfall in 90 years to the Washington area.

Churches canceled services on Sunday and millions of people dug themselves out of snowbound streets as the US mid-Atlantic region struggled to recover from its biggest blizzard in decades.

Hundreds of commuters were left stranded at airports, bus stops and train stations as public transport came to a halt.

While Obama was forced to cancel several appointments due to the heavy snowfall, authorities were still undecided on whether educational institutions and offices should be shut down on Monday.

The local administration warned that it would be days before the situation could get back to normal.

The incessant snowfall paralysed public transport in Washington area, and several flights and metro trains were cancelled.

Private vehicles stayed off the slippery roads, deserted malls shut down early and authorities pleaded for residents to stay at home and not venture out.