WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Weather Service (NWS) reports a late winter storm that dumped over a foot of snow on parts of the Plains and middle Mississippi Valley is moving through the Northeast this morning. The system continued dropping snow, snow mix, sleet and rain from North Carolina to New England.

Some of the higher elevations in western Pennsylvania, northern Maryland and central New York are reporting as much as 12 inches or more snow accumulation. Elsewhere, precipitation ranges from snow, sleet or rain at the lower elevations. Snow depths at the lower elevations are generally in the one to four inch range.

Power outages were reported overnight in parts of Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland. As many as 50,000 customers were reported without power in the Philadelphia area and another 10,000 customers faced outages on Long Island. Utility officials in all the affected areas do not expect long term outages as power crews are making good progress in restoring service.

Commuters in the New York and Boston areas faced a rough ride this morning battling periods of heavy snow and gusty winds. NWS forecasters expect most of the heavier snow should be over later today, but light snow may linger into the evening, particularly in New England.

Heavier snow has been reported across the Appalachians this morning. From West Virginia to North Carolina six to 12 inches of additional snow are possible from the back edge of the storm as it moves northeast.