Hundreds of people turned out for a snowball fight in a US park after someone who lives nearby suggested it on Facebook.

People at Wright Park in Tacoma, Washington, took cover behind picnic tables and used sledges as shields.

People took cover behind picnic tables (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Several hundred people participated in the snowball fight (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

This is a perfect morning to bundle up and play in the snow, but stay off the roads if possible. If you do need to venture out in your vehicle, the team at @wsdot_traffic is sharing regular updates on road conditions. Stay safe! — Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) February 9, 2019

The fight took place after someone suggested it on Facebook (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

It took place in Wright Park (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

A winter storm has blanketed Washington state (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

“This is a perfect morning to bundle up and play in the snow, but stay off the roads if possible,” governor Jay Inslee wrote on Twitter.

In central Washington, blowing snow and drifts 3 to 4 feet deep forced the closure of key roads. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office warned that snow drifts were blocking many roads. Airports in eastern Washington closed, and numerous car crashes were reported.

“Snow conditions are worsening minute to minute, so don’t expect travel conditions to improve,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

Meanwhile, around 180 people spent the night at an emergency shelter set up at the Seattle Centre, with officials going out again on Saturday to get other homeless residents to safety.

Mr Inslee declared a state of emergency over the storm. The state transportation department said crews had to clear several trees that had fallen across roads in the Tacoma area.