Snow Storm:

The eastern U.S. prepared for a frightful wintry storm Saturday that was expected to dump more than a foot of snow, hampering travelers heading home and deterring shoppers on the weekend before Christmas.

Forecasts called for up to 20 inches of snow across the region, including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and reaching up to New York.

Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty declared a snow emergency for the city starting Saturday morning, ordering all cars cleared from snow emergency routes. Philadelphia also declared a snow emergency and the school district canceled all weekend activities.