WASHINGTON, DC (REUTERS) - A deadly winter storm paralyzed much of the eastern United States on Tuesday, snarling transit and shutting down federal offices in the nation's capital.

But in Washington's trendy Meridian Hill Park, dozens of snowed-in locals took advantage of the heavy snow to participate in a massive snowball fight, coordinated, of course, by the DC Snowball Association.

Some donned costumes, like Mr Collin Lawrence, who had participated in another snowball fight by the same organisers last year.

"That was a lot of fun and I figured, heck, why not do it this year. Just this time in costume," he said, clad head to toe in a "Captain America" get-up. "Good times. Everybody's having a good time."

Forecasters predict the worst cold in two decades from another arctic front is headed to the eastern US later this week.