Storm Blasts Washington, DC, Moves Up Northeast

— -- The season's first major snow storm to blast large parts of the South struck the nation's capital this morning, then headed up the winter-weary East Coast.

After weeks of snow in the Northeast, the mid-February storm raked several Southern states on Monday, when many schools and business were closed for Presidents Day.

By this morning, it had moved into the Mid-Atlantic states, prompting the federal government to close Washington-area offices to most workers.

About 7 inches of snow fell on Washington, D.C.

Boston –- which has been slammed with historic snowfall totals during the past month –- will get a reprieve this storm, with just about 1 inch expected later today. Cape Cod could get as much as four inches.

About 15 inches of snow was reported in Logan, West Virginia, with a foot of snow falling in parts of Missouri.

Up to three inches of sleet was reported in Tennessee.

A colder air mass is lurking behind the storm, with record lows possible Thursday and Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.