Snow falls on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington February 9, 2010. The second major snowstorm in less than a week hit the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday, with predictions of 12 inches (30.5 cm) or more stretching from Washington, D.C. , to New York City.

The snowy front lawn of the the White House is seen through a fence on the north lawn February 9, 2010. The second major snowstorm in less than a week hit the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday, with predictions of 12 inches (30.5 cm) or more stretching from Washington, D.C. , to New York City.

People pass the window of an empty shop in Riga in this June 9, 2009 file photo. Economists say the worst may be over for the Baltics, but the human cost has been high: unemployment in Latvia is now the highest in the European Union -- at 22.8 percent in December 2009.

A man passes a shop advertising a closing down sale in Riga in this June 9, 2009 file photo. Economists say the worst may be over for the Baltics, but the human cost has been high: unemployment in Latvia is now the highest in the European Union -- at 22.8 percent in December 2009.

A man stands in front of a closed shop in Riga in this August 10, 2009 file photo. Economists say the worst may be over for the Baltics, but the human cost has been high: unemployment in Latvia is now the highest in the European Union -- at 22.8 percent in December 2009.

A sign advertises a shop for let in Riga in this June 9, 2009 file photo. Economists say the worst may be over for the Baltics, but the human cost has been high: unemployment in Latvia is now the highest in the European Union -- at 22.8 percent in December 2009.

A view of the White House as snow begins to fall in Washington, February 9, 2010. The second major snowstorm in less than a week hit the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday, with predictions of 12 inches (30.5 cm) or more stretching from Washington, D.C. , to New York City, forcing schools to close...

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive for a concert entitled �In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement" in the East Room of the White House Washington February 9, 2010.

Singing legend Smokey Robinson speaks to students during the "Music that Inspired the Movement� workshop at the White House in Washington February 9, 2010. The workshop, which is part of the 2010 White House Music Series, preceded Tuesday's concert �In Performance at the White House: A Celebration...

Members of the group "The Blind Boys of Alabama", leave the stage after performing for students during the "Music that Inspired the Movement� workshop at the White House in Washington February 9, 2010. The event is part of the 2010 White House Music Series. The workshop preceded tonight's...

A hand is raised as U.S. President Barack Obama fields a question during an impromptu news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington February 9, 2010.

Gospel singer Yolanda Adams performs for students during the "Music that Inspired the Movement� workshop at the White House in Washington February 9, 2010. The event is part of the 2010 White House Music Series. The workshop preceded tonight's concert �In Performance at the White House: A...

Bo, the pet dog of U.S. President Barack Obama and the first family, goes for a walk in the snow on the White House grounds in Washington February 9, 2010.

AP Photo 8 hours ago

Yolanda Adams performs at a Black History Month event celebrating the music of the Civil Rights Movement hosted by President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

AP Photo 8 hours ago

President Barack Obama speaks at a Black History Month event celebrating the music of the Civil Rights Movement in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

AP Photo 8 hours ago

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at a Black History Month event celebrating the music of the Civil Rights Movement in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

The Spanish secretary of state for Ibero-America, Juan Pablo de Laiglesia (L) speaks next to El Salvador's Economy Minister Hector Dada during a news conference in San Salvador February 9, 2010. Laiglesia is in El Salvador as part of a tour to discuss the Association treaty between Central...

AP Photo 8 hours ago

Actor Morgan Freeman, left, speaks with Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. , and his wife Marcelle at a Black History Month event celebrating the music of the Civil Rights Movement hosted by President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he leaves an impromptu news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, February 9, 2010.

U.S. President Barack Obama takes a question during an impromptu news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, February 9, 2010.

U.S. President Barack Obama walks from the podium at the end of an impromptu news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, February 9, 2010.

The left hand of White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs shows a shopping list featuring "Eggs, Milk, Hope and Change", the latter two words used heavily in U.S. President Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign, during Gibbs' daily news briefing at the White House in Washington February...

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at an impromptu press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington February 9, 2010.

U.S. President Barack Obama gives an impromptu news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington February 9, 2010.

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama speaks during an event held to unveil a nationwide campaign to combat childhood obesity, at the White House in Washington February 9, 2010.