Deadly Storm Sweeps across America
THE TELEGRAPH: At least 17 people have died after a huge storm swept across the American Midwest and New England.

In Madison, Wisconsin, the worst affected area, more than 19 inches of snow fell. Photo: The Telegraph
More than a foot of snow has fallen in 12 states as blizzard conditions buried cars under snowdrifts as much as 15 feet deep.

Most of the deaths were due to traffic accidents. In Kansas, visibility dropped to only 50 feet while in Iowa a major highway was closed, leaving lorry drivers stranded.

Hundreds of schools closed, thousands of homes lost power and flights have been cancelled across a wide area.

The Midwest is accustomed to bitterly cold winters but the strength of the storm, which also brought ice and 50mph winds, still took the region by surprise.

In Madison, Wisconsin, the worst affected area, more than 19 inches of snow fell and the local university was closed for the first time in nearly 45 years. >>> Tom Leonard in New York | Thursday, December 10, 2009

Global Warming?
Photo courtesy of the BBC
BBC: Dozens of ski resorts across the Alps have begun running their lifts after unprecedented levels of snow this month.

Some parts have had the most snow in November since 1956.

Last winter was a bad season for the multi-million pound ski industry and there were real fears that some resorts might go out of business due to a lack of snow.

But the ski industry is now breathing a collective sigh of relief as bookings are picking up for the all-important Christmas period.

Many villages and towns in the Alps rely on skiing for up to 80% of their income.

Last December the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that some resorts could become unviable due to climate change.

It said resorts under 1,500m (4921ft) should focus on other activities.

Huge snow storm

Last week, though, a massive storm dumped over 1m (3ft 3in) on parts of the Eastern Alps and then it spread west. Early snows boost Alpine ski resorts (more) By James Cove

Mark Alexander