A major winter storm is set to spread heavy snow and damaging ice across a large portion of the United States over the coming days. Dangerously cold temperatures will only worsen the storm and increase its danger.

Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are slamming large parts of the U.S. as the dangerously cold weather causes major power outages and travel disruptions.

Tree branches and power lines snapped under the weight of ice, and about a million homes and businesses in the Southeast were left without electricity.