A 'crippling' and 'potentially historic' snow storm has shut down some of the US's major cities.

States including New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts are on blizzard alert with up to 2 feet of snow forecast.

In New York, a driving ban is in place and people are being warned to stay indoors.

Thousands of flights in and out of the area have been cancelled.

The conditions are expected to last until Wednesday morning.

Róisín Treacy reports: