Cold wave hits East following snowstorm

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. -- East Coast residents still reeling from the effects of a massive snowstorm were met with freezing temperatures and blistering wind chills a day after as much as 16 inches of snow forced the closure of schools and businesses from South Carolina to New Hampshire.

Temperatures across New Jersey hovered in the single digits Tuesday as wind chills dipped below zero. New York City's Central Park felt like zero for much of the morning. Eastern Pennsylvania saw temperatures in the teens and low 20s with windchills just above zero.

Traffic on an interstate in East Hartford, Conn., was backed up nine miles early Tuesday after a minivan crashed into the rear of a state snow plow. The 62-year-old van driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

In New Jersey, the frosty weather almost led to a legal storm for districts and school board candidates.

Monday was the deadline for candidates to register to run in the April 21 school board elections. But with nearly every school in the state closed because of snow, many candidates did not have a place to file their papers on time.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine announced Tuesday that the deadline for candidates to file would be extended to today.

Many towns up and down the coast remained in the dark and bitter cold Tuesday, and some schools canceled or delayed classes for a second straight day.

Duke Energy said about 40,000 customers in North Carolina and South Carolina still had no service Tuesday. Electricity might not be restored until tonight, the utility said.

Dominion Virginia Power reported more than 20,000 customers still without electricity, including nearly 14,000 in the Richmond area.