It said bitterly cold and strong northerly winds and snow would "present some very challenging conditions".

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"Due to strong and persistent northerly winds, coastal flooding along portions of the Great Lakes is possible, " the National Weather Service warned.

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The shifting northerly winds can suddenly bring ice and snow to the city, even in springtime, and when they do a certain kind of silence sets in.

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The forecasters added that the colder than average conditions had been caused by frequent easterly and northerly winds, bringing cold air to the UK from polar and northern European regions.

BBC: Spring will be coldest in 50 years, Met Office says