100 inches of snow possible

CHARLESTON, W.VA. — West Virginia called snowplow drivers out of retirement Wednesday as snowstorms and arctic cold blamed for at least 16 deaths hung over much of the Midwest and East. Parts of upstate New York could get more than 100 inches of snow before the massive cold system breaks up Sunday or Monday, forecasters said.

As much as 9 inches of snow fell in West Virginia in the state’s first major storm of the season, prompting schools statewide to either close or open late for a second day in a row. Schools were also shut down across much of Ohio and parts of New York.

In West Virginia, 21 retired snowplow drivers were called in to help crews struggling to clear roads.

But for some, the weather was ideal.

“It was the perfect storm,” said Joe Stevens, spokesman for the West Virginia Ski Areas Assn. “Over 4 feet of snow has fallen since the middle of January, which has really turned the situation around for the resorts.”