heavy snow

Brown scrub and brush on the hills around some of the mountain venues have made for underwhelming TV images during the Games but the snowfalls have blanketed the area white, while posing some issues for crews at local venues.

"In heavy snow weather, one must not wait, it's a process of clearing as it snows," Shu Wen, deputy director of maintenance services at the Genting Snow Park, said.

"It's all about preventing the use of snow-melt agents.

Five states declared an emergency hours before heavy snow and hurricane-force winds blasted the area.

Experts warn of "historic" snowfall in some places, and flood warnings have been issued near the coast. More than 5000 US flights have been cancelled.

As the storm arrived, more than 116,000 households across Massachusetts were without power.

Forecasters said there was a chance the storm, known as a Nor'easter, will blanket the Boston area with up to 61cm of snow, and up to 30cm of snow has already fallen in parts of New York.

MetService warned heavy snow from overnight and carrying into this morning, at Central Otago, Southland and Fiordland, may disrupt travel and could damage trees and powerlines.

The cold conditions may also cause stress for livestock, MetService said on its website.

The weather agency stated snowfall may hit warning amounts above 500m in inland Dunedin and North Otago.

Fiordland, Westland south of Otira and Otago Headwaters and Canterbury Lakes and rivers are also expecting heavy rain today.