A powerful Arctic winter storm sweeps through the US and Canada leaving nearly 1.5 million people without power across several states.
Extensive parts of both countries are under winter weather alerts that extend from coast-to-coast and as far south as the US-Mexico border.
The storm has brought damaging winds and freezing temperatures . In addition, at least six storm-related deaths have been reported in the US.
Major airports have also cancelled thousands of flights.
Meteorologists have described the winter storm as a bomb cyclone, a term given to an explosive storm that intensifies rapidly, with its central air pressure dropping by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours.
The NWS has described the storm, which started in the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, as a “once-in-a-generation” winter weather event, saying that more than 100 daily cold temperature records could be tied or broken over the next few days.
“This is not like a snow day when you were a kid, this is serious stuff,” President Joe Biden said in a White House briefing on Thursday.
“I encourage everyone, everyone to please heed the local warnings,” Biden said, adding information can be found on weather.gov.
Biden said the White House has tried to contact governors of 26 states slated to be hit by the storm.
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