Major winter storm expected to hit much of US before Christmas

A major winter storm system is expected to strike much of the US days before Christmas, potentially snarling holiday travel as motorists and air travelers contend with heavy snow, powerful winds, and bitterly cold temperatures across several regions.

In the northern plains and upper midwest, temperatures could plummet into the negative teens fahrenheit and extend into the central plains. From the midwest to the mid and northern portions of the eastern seaboard, temperatures are expected to fall into the single digits and teens, the meteorological agency said.

Even the southern US will not be spared, with temperatures potentially dropping in portions of normally temperate states such as Florida and Texas. The northern Gulf Coast might see below-freezing temperatures, according to the Weather Channel.

The system will come after a powerful storm dumped snow across portions of the eastern US this weekend, leaving about 144,000 electricity customers without power from northern New York to Maine, NBC News reported. Some Maine residents might be blacked out until Monday or Tuesday as numerous roads were impassible, the outlet said.