An early snowstorm has made its way up the northeast coast of the US, and is now proving to be a challenge for the Occupy Wall Street demonstrators who have set up camp in New York's financial district.

The snow is predicted to be between five to 10 cm over the next 24 hours. Tents started to spring up earlier this week but many people are still sleeping under makeshift tarpaulins, exposed to the weather.

Volunteer medics say hypothermia is already a problem.

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reports from New York.