More than 60 inches of snow falls on US city in record-breaking Christmas snowstorm as state emergency declared

A Christmas storm brought more than 60in of snow to a Pennsylvania city, forcing officials to declare a state of emergency.

Erie was hit by 60in (150cm) of snow on Christmas and Boxing Day, with a record total of 34in (86cm) recorded on December 25.

The city and nearby areas in the state were blanketed as police warned motorists that "roads are dangerous and impassable".

More snow is expected to fall on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service office in Cleveland.

Around 24.5in (62cm) fell on Tuesday, which brought the total snowfall since December 23 to 62.9in (160cm).

Metereologists said the heavy snowstorm was the result of lake-effect snow, which forms when cold air passes over a warm body of water.

Cars and homes were buried by the snow, with some locals forced to shovel their way out.

Erie has issued a snow emergency due to dangerous road conditions, the Associated Press reported.

Officials asked residents to stay off the streets until the snow stops and roads can reopen.

Police and the state Department of Transportation urged people to avoid travel due to poor visibility and deteriorating conditions.

A new all-time for snowfall on any single day was registered on Christmas Day, beating Erie's previous record set in 1956.