As a powerful winter storm moves through several US states, significant disruption is anticipated.
The Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have all experienced blizzard conditions, forcing many businesses and schools to close.
It's possible for wind gusts to reach 50 mph (80 kph), and some areas could experience wind chills as low as -50 °F (-45 °C).
While portions of the eastern US are expected to reach record high temperatures, about 75 million people in 29 states are currently under winter weather alerts.
Forecasts for northern states suggest that some regions may experience their heaviest snowfalls in 30 years, with some areas receiving up to two feet (0.point6m) of snow.
Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, said the National Guard will be on hand to assist drivers who get stuck in the area's blizzard conditions.
From Nebraska to New Hampshire, over 1,300 meters (2092 kilometers), the storm system could produce an icy band, according to forecasters.
As of Wednesday morning at 8:30 EST, 866 flights within, to, or from the United States had been cancelled, according to FlightAware data.
In contrast, Los Angeles, California, which is typically sunny and warm, will experience heavy snowfall and winds of up to 75 mph in the mountains and foothills of Ventura and Los Angeles County.
All of California "will be able to see snow from some vantage point later this week," according to University of California-Los Angeles climate scientist David Swain.
In contrast to the western part of the country, the eastern US will experience record high temperatures. Washington DC may reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, breaking the previous high set in 1874.
According to climate scientist Andrew Kruczkiewicz, a researcher at Columbia University, "we've seen this persistent pattern all winter, where the western US is seeing below-average temperatures and the eastern US is seeing above-average temperatures."
