Weather forecasters predicted another major snowstorm even as six states and Washington, D.C., are still digging out from a weekend blizzard.

An estimated 25 to 50 centimeters of additional snow could fall on the Middle Atlantic region of the United States by a storm that was expected to start Tuesday and last well into Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

As of Monday night, more than half a meter of snow is already on the ground in portions of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Washington had a near-record snowfall.

On Monday, the federal government was shut down, schools and businesses were closed, and airports were providing limited service. Tens of thousands of homes are without electricity.

A recent increase in oil prices was blamed on the severe winter weather. On Monday, crude slated for March delivery rose 70 cents to nearly $72 a barrel, reversing a recent trend.

(article and photo source: Voice of America)