Parts of the eastern United States have received more than two feet (71cm) of snow fall in a huge blizzard that is sweeping across the region.

Heavy snow began falling on Friday across more than 20 states, affecting some 85 million people.

In Kentucky, where some of the heaviest snowfall was recorded, thousands of drivers were left stranded in a 35-mile (56km) traffic jam.

At least nine people have died and emergencies declared in 10 states.

Tens of thousands of homes are without power.

The nation's capital, Washington, could lie under a record 30in (76cm) of snow by the time the storm passes on Sunday. At the White House, 13in (33cm) of snow fell overnight.

The heaviest snowfall recorded so far (up to 09:00 eastern time, 14:00 GMT) include:

• 28in (71cm) - Terra Alta, West Virginia
• 24in (61cm) - Philippi, West Virginia; Oakland, Maryland
• 23in (58cm) - Ridgeley, Maryland; Champion and Marklesburg, Pennsylvania

The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Alabama in the south to Massachusetts in the north-east.

In Kentucky, a huge traffic jam has started to clear in the past few hours, after thousands of drivers found themselves stranded on Interstate 75 overnight by heavy snow and a number of accidents.

The Red Cross erected shelters along the highway and Kentucky State Policetweeted that officers were taking water, fuel and snacks to the motorists, some of whom had been stuck for more than 12 hours.

Further north, on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a number of other vehicles have been stuck in snow for at least 12 hours after the road closed. One university basketball team that was stranded said they were running out of leftover pizza and getting hungry.